Developing and maintaining healthy habits can be challenging for seniors living at home, especially amid the coronavirus pandemic. However, with a little guidance and understanding of how each dimension of wellness impacts your life, you can approach your lifestyle with health and wellness at the forefront of your mind. This handy fact sheet from the National Wellness Institute, Inc. details the six dimensions of wellness, and we’ve explained below how each dimension can positively impact your life.
Emotional
Being aware of your emotions is important for successful independent living. Negative self-talk can make anyone emotionally unstable and potentially lead to deteriorating relationships, the development of health issues, and other concerns. It’s essential to accept the feelings you have and work to channel positive energy through negative situations to create emotional stability.
Intellectual
Seniors striving for independent living need to challenge their brain daily. Learn new things, solve problems, be creative, and stay up-to-date on the latest technology to keep the mind sharp. Brain health is just as important as physical health, so you have to give your brain some exercise frequently too.
Occupational
Retiring and living at home seems like a dream for many seniors until they realize they quickly get bored without going to work. Everyone should feel a sense of purpose in their lives, so if you feel like that aspect is lacking, find something meaningful to participate in. This could be anything from volunteering to learning new hobbies or even caring for grandchildren.
Physical
Physical fitness is one of the most critical healthy habits to develop and maintain. Seniors don’t have to go through exhausting exercises daily, but just a simple 30-minute walk around the block can go a long way in improving overall wellness. Being in good physical shape can lead to better sleep, healthier eating habits, and an improved mental state at the same time.
Social
Socializing with family and friends is important for seniors. And for seniors receiving senior care, it’s even more important to stay connected with loved ones if they are unable to get out of the house much. The feeling of isolation is not good for a senior’s overall health, so utilize technology to participate in video calls with loved ones, or even just voice calls regularly.
Spiritual
Most people have a spiritual side to them, but that side may still need to be discovered. Spirituality may mean going to church regularly, or it could simply mean sitting in a quiet place outdoors and observing nature. Meditation is also a common spiritual exercise people do. There’s no right or wrong way to connect with your spiritual side, but it is important for many people to help them find a sense of purpose and meaning.
At Next Day Access, we want to help seniors live their life to the fullest every day. The six dimensions of wellness can be very impactful when prioritized, and it’s essential to do so. If you have any physical limitations that could be improved, Nous contacter, and we would be happy to discuss options with you to help boost your overall health and wellness.