Self-Care Ideas - and Why Experts Say They're Essential for Senior Well-Being

For seniors, the best self-care ideas focus on easy exercises that can improve physical health, such as yoga and walking. Adopting healthy senior routines will also help through mental exercises, which can help to improve mental wellness in aging seniors.

Is your mental health as strong as you want it to be? According to the World Health Organization, about 16% of seniors battle extreme mental health conditions. The emotional resilience seniors can show is powerful, but it often falters.

Charlotte, NC, is a perfect city for seniors looking to work on their self-care. Full of history and nature, we're the premier city in North Carolina for retirement. Whether you're here for the music history or to take in the southern hospitality, there's something for everyone.

If you're curious about personal wellness for older adults, we're here to help. Read on for a quick overview of self-care and healthy senior routines.

What Is Self-Care?

Self-care is something you've almost certainly heard about, even if the term is new. Either way, it's delightfully easy to understand!

According to the Global Self-Care Federation, or GSCF, self-care is the practice of individuals looking after their own health. Self-care can come in mental, emotional, and physical forms.

Self-care is an intentional thing and not just some random side-effect. You'll need to put some serious energy toward your self-care routine rather than hoping you stumble onto it.

Self-care is also something that you should expect to find in countless forms. It may be a daily habit like getting enough sleep, or it could be a weekly event that you always look forward to.

Self-care also depends on who the individual is. Some seniors may find self-care benefits from their religious following and faith.Others may only find it through creative endeavors.

Health Benefits of Self-Care

Self-care isn't something that you tackle for the fun of it. These exercises are perfect for keeping your mind, body, and soul healthy.

According to Southern New Hampshire University, self-care can help improve your relationship with yourself and others. The healthier you are, the easier it is for you to nourish these relationships.

Some studies show that self-care helps improve:

• Your overall physical health
• Your mood 
• Quality of sleep
• Reduced stress levels

Self-care and cognition are also linked. These benefits are great for staving off cognitive decline as we age.

Self-Care Ideas: Healing Your Body and Mind

The first step to understanding healthy senior routines is seeing the different categories of self-care. These tasks can range from physical changes to emotional self-care practices. Here are some of the most common self-care ideas.

Regular Exercise

Regular exercise and nutrition don't sound like self-care; it just sounds like exercise. But exercising is, in and of itself, a form of self-care!

Light exercises and aerobic workouts that are perfect for seniors fit this category nicely. Some common exercises include:

• Walking and running
• Swimming and water-based sports
• Yoga, Tai Chi, and other meditative practices

These exercises are the perfect way to keep your heart healthy and mind centered. When thinking of exercises, look into what activities your community offers.

Proper Nutrition

Do you consider your diet to be part of your self-care routine? We aren't talking about rewarding yourself with donuts (though that isn't the worst self-care idea, either).

A healthy and wholesome diet is a great way to keep your energy and health steady. Keeping your energy focused on balanced meals and hydration will help more than you expect.

You also should consider your passions. Many of us are passionate about cooking and the culinary arts.

At The Laurels & The Haven in Highland Creek, we know how important your diet is. We're proud to offer restaurant-style dining with professional tableside service to keep your diet strong.

Caring for Your Rest

Are you getting enough sleep at night? As we age, staying asleep for the full night is difficult.

Still, low-quality sleep is one of the worst things for our energy levels and mood. Keeping yourself rested will help you stay relaxed, keep you energetic, and improve your health.

Mental and Emotional Health

Self-care doesn't end at physical wellness. Mental wellness in aging is something you should keep in mind while thinking of self-care ideas.

A common practice is to follow mindfulness and meditation techniques. These techniques are personal and customizable and help you reduce anxiety. They'll also help foster greater mental clarity.

Another great choice is to engage with hobbies and activities that boost cognitive function. These could include:

• Puzzles
• Journaling and notebooking
• Scrapbooking
• Trying to learn new skills

Frequently-Asked Questions

What Are the Best Self-Care Ideas for Cognitive Health?

If you're focusing on cognitive health, we recommend focusing on puzzles of all sorts. When you think of puzzles, you may think of jigsaws. But there are plenty of other forms of puzzles you can engage with!

Word puzzles like crosswords and word searches are great. These are simple and easy while also keeping your mind sharp. You may even learn a new word or two!

If you're working to learn new skills, consider finding a second language to work on. You can even mix the two, learning a second language with word choices!

Can I Exercise Alone?

When you're looking into healthy senior routines, exercise and workouts are core ideas. But that doesn't mean every workout is safe to do alone.

Consider the risk of a fall or other injury while working out. Do you want to experience this with no one around to help you?

If you're working out alone, stick to low-risk, low-impact exercises. Yoga, Tai Chi, and seated exercises work well.

Personal Wellness for Older Adults

The best self-care ideas focus on a customized wellness routine. Consider how self-care and cognition are linked and focus on exercising not just your body, but your mind as well. 

Here at The Laurels & The Haven in Highland Creek, we know that there's more to your golden years than taking care of yourself -- and we're proud to help. Our location in Charlotte gives you direct access to the city's robust healthcare system, as well as beautiful parks and gorgeous weather. Schedule a tour today to see your new home.