Aging is an expected part of life; we know that we will age but we may not know what aging may entail. As we are all different, we may not age in the same way as our peers, or we may not exhibit the same signs of aging as our peers. As we get older, we may experience a decline in our physical health and abilities while keeping our minds sharp. For some individuals, the idea of physical limitations may be distressing.
How do we navigate our physical limitations while maintaining a fulfilling lifestyle? In the navigation process, it is important to think about our physical limitations and how that affects our routine. This process of dissecting these thoughts may not happen overnight and it may be a difficult process. When we think about our limitations, we may compare our current abilities to our previous abilities to when we were younger, resulting in grief or feelings of sadness for what we once had. For some individuals, they may benefit from talking about these issues with a provider or mental health practitioner. This may look like evaluating what is important to us and weighing the value. To some individuals, the ability to go about tasks independently may be a high priority. Independence is important but so is maintaining our safety.
Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to adapt throughout life. It does so by modifying structure, functions, or the neural pathways. Through neuroplasticity we are able to learn new things along with relearning previous abilities. The ability to relearn previous abilities is important after injuries to the brain. When the brain builds upon the information it knows, it can work around injuries by creating new pathways.
How do we maintain a sharp mind? There are several ways to keep the mind active while the body may no longer be as spry. The best way to do so is to engage with the world around you through hobbies and connections with others. Hobbies or activities are a way to stay engaged and challenge the brain while having fun. Hobbies such as puzzles, drawing, knitting, or reading are fun ways to engage the mind. Learning new skills such as a language, instruments, or abilities can also keep our cognition engaged as we are working on the mechanisms of processing, analyzing, and recalling. Maintaining social connections is also important. As we age, we experience loss of those around us and can feel isolated or lonely at times. Joining groups can be an easy way to make new connections with peers.
Engaging in healthy lifestyle choices supports a healthy brain. Steps that individuals can take to maintain a healthy lifestyle are eating a nutritious diet, getting enough sleep, and engaging in physical activity as able. Sleep is important for cognitive functioning as during sleep, the brain processes and stores information. During sleep, experiences are processed and turned into short-term and long-term memories. Sleep also helps with emotion regulation. Establishing a routine can be a helpful way to improve sleep, ensuring you wake up and go to bed at the same time every day. Dieting and sleep help us gain energy and impact our ability to exercise. As we age, we may be limited by our ability to walk around like we once were able to, but engaging in chair exercises can be a way to keep the body moving.
Stress is the body’s response to new or challenging situations. Managing stress can seem like an overwhelming task. Talking with a mental health professional or someone you trust can be helpful in navigating stress and looking at ways to manage the stressors. In times where it feels as though we see nothing but bad news or distressing information, it may be helpful to take a step back. An important way of managing stress is to make intentional time to unwind. Meditation is a practice where you set aside a time to focus your mind and be present at that moment. Often meditation is practiced through the action of focusing on sensory input and then using the time for self-reflection.
Our physical health and abilities may change as we age which results in limitations. Using our abilities can act as a strength in maintaining a healthy mind and lifestyle. Taking conscious steps to maintain our physical health and well-being, we can work to keep our cognitive health and well-being intact. Aging is one of the consta
