Empty Nest Moms

Empty Nest Moms AND Dads! => Staying Healthy As We Age! => Topic started by: PattyG on May 15, 2018, 09:22:58 PM

Title: Mental Health
Post by: PattyG on May 15, 2018, 09:22:58 PM
Mental health is an important part of overall health and wellbeing. One of my fears is developing dementia like my grandfather did as he got older. I've also encountered a lot of older people who suffer from depression. I really want to raise awareness about signs and symptoms that may indicate illness and ways to keep our minds strong.
I'll begin by sharing a few of my own tips for maintaining mental and brain health.


-Omega-3 fats are very good for brain health and can help decrease your risk of developing dementia.
-Regular exercise helps to release endorphins and ultimately keep you happier and healthier.
-Regular sleep is very important. Lack of sleep is being linked to a lot of diseases including depression and dementia as well as with physical illnesses like high blood pressure.
-Keep your mind active. I have always liked doing sudoku puzzles. I try to keep a little book by my bedside to do before bedtime. You can also try to learn something new. Remember, learning is a lifelong endeavor.


Please feel free to share your own tips for staying mentally healthy!



Title: Re: Mental Health
Post by: Kidless on May 16, 2018, 07:58:19 AM
These are very good tips indeed PattyG.  One more I will add is to laugh some every day.  Just a good hardy laugh at something releases all kinds of stress and helps to keep us from taking ourselves so seriously. 
Title: Re: Mental Health
Post by: PattyG on May 17, 2018, 12:14:35 PM
Thank you, kidless for that great advice. Laughter is definitely important for remaining healthy. It's not good to take life too seriously. I've been there a few times and I swear, it will drive you insane!
Title: Re: Mental Health
Post by: Pat on May 18, 2018, 04:54:34 AM
This is good advice and I will be sure to take it up. I worry most about getting depressed. I certainly feel "down" a lot at the moment and have spoken to my doctor. He gave similar advice to yours but didn't motivate me. I don't know why, but your post motivates me more than he did. I felt that he was patronising me a bit, telling me just "to get on" with things.


Sudoko puzzles are something I could take up. I would also love to join a bookclub - somebody talked them elsewhere on this forum. But there is no such club where I live. Maybe I should start one? Maybe I'll start one here??


I love the idea of daily laughter - I shall have to watch some old comedy shows. I do go out walking everyday with a group which has been a huge help. I'm going to suggest that we all laugh together, it'll only take one of us to start because I think laughter is contagious.


Thank you so much - I feel less "down" already  :jiggly smiley:
Title: Re: Mental Health
Post by: haidyl on May 21, 2018, 08:27:07 AM
These are very nice tips indeed. It is not always that you will hear someone talking about mental health yet it is very important to ensure that we keep this in check. You mentioned Sudoku and I just searched online for a few puzzles. I also try to laugh as much as I can, besides letting my mind worry (just a bit) about things that I cannot handle.
Title: Re: Mental Health
Post by: Krista on June 11, 2018, 05:23:19 AM
These are all wonderful tips!  Mental health often takes a backseat to physical health, but how we feel emotionally affects our bodies, so it's important to keep our minds healthy.


A couple of things I like to do:
1. I try to do something enjoyable everyday.  it is so easy to get bogged down with housework, our careers, and our relationships with our family and friends.  We all need some time to decompress.  I take at least 15 minutes to read an enjoyable book before I go to sleep each night.  I find it helps relax my mind and body.


2. I find that having a pet is very beneficial for my mental health.  My cat provides me unconditional love, and spending time with her daily makes me feel good. 
Title: Re: Mental Health
Post by: MomOfTwo on June 11, 2018, 09:39:12 AM
I have one way of keeping my mental health robust and active. I make sure to read my bucket list posted at my bedroom door so that I remember what I need to do for the day to achieve the things I haven't done yet in the list. My brain will remain active throughout the day because of the goals I set myself for that day.