Regular Exercise is The Key to Good Senior Mental Health

How do you define mental health?

We must take care of our physical and mental health to be fit. Mental health consists of our psychological, emotional, and social well-being. It impacts how we feel, think and act and helps define how we manage stressful situations and make healthy choices. The well-being of our mental health is essential in every phase of life, childhood, adolescence, and adulthood.

5 signs of Mental Illness in Seniors

These are the 5 signs and symptoms of mental illness in seniors:

Feeling down or sad most of the time. Sometimes the things you usually enjoy do not seem fun anymore.
Constant mood swings. Mood swings that go up and down, and are mostly unpredictable.
Cognitive functions are being compromised. Not being able to concentrate and focus properly.
Avoiding people. People tend to avoid meeting and interacting with people and prefer their company.
The other signs that occur over a period of time include constant fatigue, sleeping troubles, and low energy.

Why is mental health important for seniors?

Good mental health significantly impacts how we feel as it leads to overall well-being, and influences how we think and function as we manage life. Mental health is important in every phase of life, and many older adults are at stake for mental health challenges. When mental health problems are left untreated in older adults, it can lead to declining functioning, poor quality of life, substance abuse, and an increased mortality rate.

At what age do mental health illnesses start?

Mental illness can start at any age, and it could begin from childhood as well, but most of the time, it begins earlier in life. The effects of mental illness effects could be temporary or long-lasting. There are instances where you can have more than one mental health illness simultaneously.

Studies show that 50 per cent of mental illness begins by age 14, and 75 per cent of mental disorder begins by age 24.

What are the common issues of mental health among elderly adults?

Some of the most common mental health problems among senior citizens include depression, isolation, anxiety disorders, psychosis, and dementia, among many others. Multiple seniors also suffer from sleep troubles and behavioural issues, deterioration in their cognitive functions, or confusion resulting from physical disorders or surgical interventions.

How can exercise improve the mental health of seniors?

Exercises, in general, have proven to have a huge impact on the well-being of our mental health and not just physical health. A study at the University of British Columbia discovered that weight lifting had a positive effect on women’s brains that were from the age group 50 to 70.

Hence, exercising regularly, if not daily, could positively affect seniors’ mental health. Here are some of the ways how exercises help:

Exercise results in a reduction of anxiety and depression
Exercise enhances blood flow to the brain
Exercise helps with the production of new brain cells
Exercise can improve memory

Conclusion

Exercises have always proved to have a huge influence on our physical and mental well-being. It also has positive impacts on the mental health of seniors. Most of the time, seniors suffer from mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. These mental health issues impact their daily functioning, and they wouldn’t know how to manage them. Performing simple exercises such as walking could improve their mental health and help them lead happier lives.

FAQ

How does exercise affect your mental health?

Exercises improve mental health by improving cognitive functions, reducing negativity and mood swings, and eliminating depression and anxiety.

How does lack of exercise affect mental well-being?

According to a study, an absence or a reduction in exercising is often associated with an increased risk of mental disorders like depression and anxiety.