“Self-care” can mean a wide variety of specific things, but most broadly, it refers to taking care of your mind and body and keeping yourself happy and healthy. Practicing self-care as a senior may look a bit different from practicing it as a younger adult, but the basic principles remain the same. Careage Senior Living has compiled a list of simple ways to practice self care as a senior and keep your mind, body, and spirit in shape.

Find & Maintain a Hobby

Hobbies are an excellent way to engage your mind and body while doing something you love. Whether it’s collecting stamps, drawing, cooking, walking, or even playing video games, devoting some time out of every day to do an activity that makes you happy can, unsurprisingly, be beneficial for your mental health.

Be Social

Whether you live alone, with family or a spouse, or in a senior living community, be sure to take the time to interact with other people, even if it’s just over the phone. Spending time in populated areas like a library, coffee shop, or the lobby of your senior living community can help scratch that social itch. Studies have also shown that being socially active can lead to higher late-life satisfaction.

Eat Well

Even if you don’t always feel hungry, it’s important to eat on a regular schedule to maintain your health and mood. If you anticipate being too tired to cook, make sure to have some frozen meals available as well as frozen veggies for an easy and healthy side dish. You might also want to keep some healthy snacks on hand, like pre-wrapped fruit and cheese or peanut butter crackers, that you can reach for when you want to eat, but don’t feel like prepping and cleaning.

Treat Yourself

Being healthy and mindful doesn’t necessarily mean you have to restrict yourself from little treats and indulgences. Every once in a while, it’s a good idea to do something self-serving, like enjoying a spa day, getting a decadent dessert, or buying a new piece of clothing. While these shouldn’t be daily occurrences, treating yourself every once in a while is sure to have a positive effect on your mental health.

We hope that we were able to shed some light on how to practice self-care and mindfulness as a senior. For more tips about senior living, check out the Careage blog.