It’s never too late to look after yourself. With the national average age going up and up, the goal has been shifted towards aiming for a better quality of life. You can live forever, but if you’re miserable, unable, or unwilling, to do the things you love, is it worth it? We’ve got a few tips on how to make your twilight years as fun and pleasant as possible. Read on for some ideas.
Get therapy
There is a chance your view on therapy isn’t favourable simply due to past attitudes around the idea. Mental health was something not talked about, and if you needed therapy, you needed a straitjacket.
But attitudes have changed. Therapy is something people put under “required” on their dating profiles. And it’s not too late to get on board. Remember, we’re going into this with the idea that it’s never too late, and if it makes you feel better it’ll be well worth it. Whether life is just getting you down, or you’ve had demons following you for years, there is something you can do about it. You don’t have to just tolerate it.
Exercise
It’s easy to put your feet up after years of treadmills, hikes, bikes, and any other exercise and decide that your joints are starting to ache, so you simply can’t anymore. That’s not the case. For a better quality of life, which is ultimately the goal, you can adapt your exercise regime to be a little easier on your body but just as helpful. Consider low impact exercises, like long walks rather than runs, yoga to keep the joints loose and stretched, and swimming, which feels great on the back.
Get rid of people pulling you down
It might sound like a very Gen Z thing to “eliminate the toxic people” from your life, but it’s a philosophy that should be adopted by everyone. There is nothing wrong with putting yourself first, so if that means getting the people out of your life that are affecting your mental health, go for it.
Yes, that might mean even considering a divorce. What kind of attitude is it to simply endure, or “wait it out”? That’s just making the next years you have left miserable until they’re over. Life’s too short for that. And frankly, if this has piqued your interest, a lot of people would say that’s grounds for divorce right there, as there’s no smoke without fire. Consider contacting divorce lawyers here to see what you can do about your current situation.
Fulfill that old goal
Did you ever tell anyone you wanted to write a novel? Or work in a studio? Or take up dancing? Maybe life got in the way of these goals, or they didn’t feel like they were worth pursuing until you got all your ducks in a row.
Well, there are your ducks, all lined up. Maybe it’s time to get writing. Get involved with this year’s NaNoWriMo (or National November Writing Month) or join a writing class. Turn your spare bedroom or your garage into a studio. Take some tango lessons and make some new friends on the dancefloor. Hell, go to a club if you fancy it. The world is your oyster.
If you love it, do it. Doing the things that you love is a great way to improve your everyday mental health and will help you stave off boredom. If you have no motivation, force yourself to start, even if it’s something small. Once you get started you won’t want to stop.
Senior Outlook Today is your go-to source for information, inspiration, and connection as you navigate the later years of life. Our team of experts and writers is dedicated to providing relevant and engaging content for seniors, covering topics such as health and wellness, finances, technology and travel.
