Posted on Jun 8, 2020 in Senior Tips
As people worldwide are continuing to self-isolate, it’s vital to safeguard your mental health during quarantine.
The World Health Organization has published guidelines on helping yourself during the pandemic. WHO also suggests you get updates on the latest COVID-19 news at least twice a week.
Today, then our focus is on helping you to stay stimulated even if everything is radically different right now. We’re here to help you make the best of the new normal!
If you find the days seem like formless masses of time at the moment, consider sharpening up your routine.
When you retire, it’s not uncommon to resist any form of routine, especially if you’ve had a regimented working life. In reality, when you strip your days of structure, it’s easy to become unanchored.
Now, we’re not suggesting you start blocking your day out in 15-minute windows with appointments for everything. Instead, think of this basic framework:
Even with this simple, 10-point checklist, your day instantly has structure.
If you’re deep into your golden years and you typically spend a lot of time socializing with friends and family, you’re doubtless finding quarantine tough. Perhaps you’re finding yourself bored or struggling to adequately entertain yourself as a result.
One way to combat this formless expanse of time is to carve your day up into much more manageable chunks. Use the above daily framework as a starting point. Then, build out the time dedicated to hobbies and entertainment by breaking down these hours into smaller chunks.
Embrace the positive aspects of routine and you’ll start feeling sharper mentally.
Just because you’re spending more time at home staying safe from coronavirus, don’t confuse social distancing with social isolation.
With 85% of seniors owning a cellphone, there’s no excuse not to stay in touch with friends and family. Whether you prefer to chat or send text messages, you can remain connected to your loved ones day-to-day.
You could also enjoy video calls with your nearest and dearest. Use Skype, Zoom, or Facebook Messenger and you’ll feel like your grandchildren are right next to you even if that’s impossible right now.
Email is a great meeting point between short instant messages and a longer letter. Fire off regular updates to friends and family in your extended social circle. Make more effort and you’ll soon find yourself awash in communication.
As well as strengthening your immune system, regular exercise can also help to keep your mind engaged and your mood lifted.
From simple stretching and gentle bodyweight exercises through to light cardiovascular work, there’s no reason not to stay physically and mentally alert just because you’re self-isolating.
Here are some easy exercises you can do at home if you’re stuck for ideas.
If you’ve always complained that you never get enough time for the creative projects you have in mind, now you have all the time you need. Take advantage of it.
Even during retirement, it’s easy to get caught up in the hecticness of daily living and neglect to set aside enough outlets for your creativity. Whether you enjoy writing, painting, playing a musical instrument, or learning new languages, you have the perfect opportunity right now to immerse yourself in something new.
By stretching your mind, you could help stave off dementia and other cognitive conditions associated with old age.
If you have an internet connection and the hunger to learn, there’s an almost limitless number of online courses and classes you could try.
While quality varies, you can find plenty of free courses from companies like Udemy.
Whether you fancy improving your cooking skills, learning more about technology, or learning how to start a new business suited to retirement, imagination is your only limitation.
Challenge your brain and stay sharper.
If you’re already confident with video calling, why not combine this with helping your grand kids with their homework while you chat?
Test yourself as well as your beloved grandchildren and see how much you can remember from your schooldays.
Even if you can’t get out to the bookstore or the library, you can easily order books online.
Reading will not only keep your mind active and engaged, you can also escape from reality for a few hours and lose yourself in a fictional world.
We hope you’re coping well and staying in the best shape possible during quarantine.
If you have any concerns about COVID-19 or quarantine, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our friendly team here at Landmark Senior Living.
