Developing a resilient mindset can help you tackle the challenges of aging, including moving to assisted living. You can gain resilience by socializing, exercising, and prioritizing self-care.
According to Psychology Today, nearly all (95%) of our thoughts are repetitive. About 80% of our thoughts are negative, which can trigger stress. Stress can affect your health and quality of life during your retirement in Longview, TX.
Before that happens, learn how to gain a resilient mindset. Resilience can help you navigate stressful situations, benefiting your health and quality of life.
What is a resilient mindset, and why is mental wellness in aging important? Read on to find out.
Resiliency is the ability to remain strong in times of stress.As you become more resilient, you'll have an easier time navigating life's challenges, including:
Resilient people still experience difficult emotions, including grief, anxiety, and stress. However, they don't back away from these difficult challenges. They face these moments head-on.
Stress can affect your mental, physical, and emotional wellness.For example, stress may increase your risk of a mental health disorder like anxiety or depression. According to the National Council on Aging, about 15% of adults aged 50 and older have a mental health disorder.
This number could double by the year 2030. Unfortunately, two-thirds of seniors with mental health problems don't receive treatment. Many remain undiagnosed.
Without treatment, anxiety and depression can cause debilitating symptoms that may affect your ability to function or quality of life.These include:
Seniors face a higher risk of developing a mental health disorder due to:
Prioritizing your mental and emotional wellness may benefit your physical health. Emotional strength aging adults know how to adapt to stressful situations. They rely on their resilience instead of allowing stress to take over.
Gaining resilience may benefit your overall health and quality of life. It may help you remain optimistic when facing life's changes. According to the National Institute on Aging, optimism is linked to longevity and well-being.
Staying positive as you navigate new situations may help:
Here are a few tips to help you develop a resilient mindset.
According to the CDC, about one in three American adults is lonely. Loneliness and social isolation may increase your risk of:
Building connections in assisted living can remind you that you're not alone, even during difficult moments. Consider joining a support group through your assisted living community. Otherwise, try planning a weekly lunch date with a friend.
Exercising can boost the production of feel-good brain chemicals called endorphins. Explore your senior living community's fitness program for:
Exercising may help relieve stress. Try to nourish your body by eating nutritious meals. You can find healthy dishes through your community's dining program.
Try to renew your sense of purpose after moving to assisted living. For example, you can explore your community's events and activities calendar to discover new hobbies. Engaging in hobbies may help:
You can also find purpose by volunteering. Supporting your community may help boost your health, self-esteem, and mood.
While adapting to your new surroundings after moving to assisted living, try to maintain a positive mindset. Seeing the positives in the situation may help you adapt sooner.You can also:
Try to remain patient with yourself during this transition period. Stay open-minded and embrace new experiences.
Stress can cause inflammation, which is associated with health issues like:
These conditions may affect your overall health and quality of life. Gaining resilience may help you better navigate stressful situations.
The next time you feel stressed, prioritize your self-care. Consider going for a walk or journaling. Remember, you can always talk to someone at your Longview senior living community.
There's no one cause of negative thinking.Possible triggers include:
The next time you encounter negative thoughts, try to identify what triggered them. Break the cycle by focusing on the positive aspects of the situation. Consider what you can control and change.
Maintaining a positive, resilient mindset can help you adapt to new situations, including moving to assisted living. Use these tips to build resiliency. Remember, you can also ask for help from members of your senior living community.
Parkview on Hollybrook is a five-time Best of Longview winner. We also rank number one in customer satisfaction in the J.D. Power 2025 US Senior Living Satisfaction Study. Here, seniors can enjoy a vibrant lifestyle surrounded by comfort and peace of mind.
Enjoy our exclusive lifestyle programs, including Sensations Dining, Celebrations Activities & Events like happy hour, and Dimensions Health & Fitness Classes like yoga. Contact us now to schedule your tour.