4 Characteristics of Happy, Healthy Seniors
We all have that friend who just seems to be happy all the time. Conversely, we all know someone who always has something negative to say or someone who appears to be unhappy all the time. Why is that? What sort of characteristics do happy people have and how do they differ from those who are unhappy? Let’s look at a few things you can do to put yourself in the “happy” group.
Happy people take care of their health.
You don’t have to be the absolute picture of health in order to be happy. But you should take charge of your medical decisions, ask questions and stay informed when it comes to your medical care. Feeling overwhelmed by all the tests, specialists and prescriptions? Talk to a close family member who can advocate for you. The more you take charge of your health and the more you can manage it, the better off you’ll be.
A little optimism goes a long way.
The people who are the happiest are the ones who can see the positive even in a negative situation. For example, if your living situation at the moment is not ideal, surely there may be some positives such as being able to access medical care around the clock or having a built in social circle at an assisted living community. Those who can see the positives in most situations tend to be happier overall.
Happy, healthy seniors have a social network.
And that doesn’t necessarily mean Facebook. The happiest people—seniors and non-seniors—are well connected with friends and family. A simple phone call with your grandchildren or a visit with a friend can go a long way for your mental health and your overall well-being. Happy people work hard to build and foster connections with others, and you should too.
Activity is key—both mind and body.
Whether you swim, ride a stationary bicycle or just get moving around in your own way, staying active is important for people of all ages—but especially for seniors. Even if you’re limited in what activities you can do, you can work with a specialist or therapist to find some time each day for some movement. It’s also important to keep your mind active. Reading, watching television, playing chess or working crossword puzzles are all great examples of how you can keep your mind sharp.
Of course, this list isn’t exhaustive and doesn’t take into account the many different ways others find happiness such as religion or meditation, golfing or bocce ball.
At Generations, we believe in providing challenging yet fun ways to keep our senior communities active. Learn about social programs and activities we do to keep our residents active.