Congratulations if you are reading this. It means you are still mentally healthy.  Your mind is still functional despite your age. You can understand and make clear and sensible decisions; it doesn’t flit between fantasy and reality.

You still discern colors, sights and sounds around you; feel the warmth of your children’s hands and the smooth skin of their faces as you trace a finger over them. You heart still overflows with joy each time they say, “I love you Dad,” or “I love you, Mom.”

They don’t call you senile or be constantly reminded to take your medicines on time can feed yourself. Nobody is hovering over so you won’t fall or get lost around the neighborhood.

And of course, you want to stay that way for as long as you want – to be able to make choices, go places, play your favorite sport or fly a drone or assemble a remote-controlled car.

You can.

There is no limit to what you can do – even in your latter years.

How?

Read through until the end and be put up to speed about the following:

• What is “mental health”
• Mental health risk factors
• Mental health symptoms

What is Mental Health

Mental health is a person’s level of emotional, pasychological, and social well-being.

It shows on the way you think, feel, and act. Your mental health can be discerned by the way you handle stress, relate with others and make choices, among others.

Contrary to popular belief, mental health, per se, is not age-related.  But aging brings about changes that may affect you physically, emotionally and psychologically. Failure to cope with these changes will impacts your mental health negatively.

These days mental problems have become too common. You hear about mental health issues among, students, celebrities, sports superstars or, at home. Sadly when people talk about “health,” what they mean physical health – forgetting the fact that anything that affects the body, affects the mind as well. And vice versa.

Mental Health Risk Factors

For most, retirement is a time to celebrate. After working for the better part of their lives, they can now relax, stay home with family and friends, travel, or engage in a hobby or sport.

It is the time to enjoy and quench your thirst for a stress-free and enjoyable life.

However, life does not follow this script for some. More too often, the things you did in  your younger days will come to roost – like karma. Even if they don’t, your current circumstances such as loneliness and financial problems will wrankle your mind, affecting your mental health.

Aside from that, the following age-related issues brings about the same effect:

• Health conditions like diabetes, heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease.
• Chronic pains in the joints, neck, back, shoulders, and nerves
• Side-effects of medication.
• Loss of income, relationship, independence, self-worth, or mobility, etc.
• Change in living arrangement, i.e., independent living to a nursing facility.
• Social isolation
• Hospitalization.
• Anniversaries of traumatic or sorrowful events and experiences.

Nearly 95% of adults 60 years old and above have at least one chronic condition. And as previously mentioned, all these will affect mental health in varying degrees. And if not properly handled or managed, they can drive one to self-destruction

Mental Health Symptoms

Mental health disorders are treatable if detected early. However, these symptoms are often taken as a result of old age – which, most often, they are. But they should not be brushed aside as one of those things.

For example, if you feel any of these things, consult your doctor:

• Eating or sleeping too much or too little
• Shying away from people and usual activities
• Lethargic or feeling lazy
• Loss of purpose
• Unexplained aches and pains
• Smoking or drinking more than usual
• Crave for harmful drugs
• Being confused, forgetful, edgy, angry, or scared
• Showing episodes of emotional outbursts against family or friends
• Frequent mood swings that affect relationships
• Negative thoughts or recalling old memories
• Hearing voices or believing things that are not true
• Having suicidal thoughts
• Inability to do daily routine tasks

Don’t take them lightly, especially if they start affecting your daily routine.

How to Stay Mentally Healthy in Old Age

Depression, anxiety. and dementia are the common mental health conditions among people. They affect about 7% of people aged 60 and above. Though not many, they should not be taken for granted.

Here are a few things you can do to prepare for its onset – if ever.

Be ready for the changes that come with aging

Being old and retired is a different ball game and you must be to embrace it with grace.

While it may be great to be spared of your daily rush-to-work routing each morining, but you must have a plan to take up the slack so you won’t fine yourself looking up at the ceiling wondering what you will  do rest of the day. God said, “Idleness is the handmaided of temptation.”

For live-along seniors, prepare for bouts of loneliness and isolation, chronic illnesses, and living off a meager pension. While being old age may be liberating, it also imposes limitations that may need assitance from within of without.

Have someone to talk to

Each time I feel like being pressed from all side, I go out to a coffee shop near me. Or I get in touch with my daughter of sister who lives nearby. These may not help in getting rid of the demons of lonliness but they can surely provide relief. It’s always good to have someone to talk to.

Don’t be a hamster of a wheel. Go out and talk to someone – anyone. If you do, don’t unburden your problems to them. That is the surest way of driving them away. Talk about the weather, about politics, religion, of anything under the sun, except your worries.

Talk to a:

• close family members or friends
• a specialist, someone who can help you in a professional way
• someone who shares your concerns
• trustworthy and won’t make your mental problems go viral.

Make it conversational. For God’s sake, don’t cry a bucket of tears in front of other people – if you can help it. Keep it simple. Skip the drama and don’t come out as a cry baby.

Listen, too.

A good conversation is a two-way street. Doing a monologue will defeat the purpose. Besides, nobody really wants to know about your problems, but being lent a sympathetic ear is blessing enough.

Seek help

Follow this formula, “If you need anything, just holler.”

There is nothing wrong with asking for help. It is not a sign of weakness, but acceptance that things are going as well as expected. Acceptance is the first path in untangling the knots on your

Seek help from:

• family and friends
• health professionals
• support groups
• online sources or social networks.

Make a  plan

If my daughter and her hubby (both doctors) go out of town for several days, they make arrangements with a nearby hospital and a fellow doctor to attend to me should I need medical attention.

Though I have never availed of such a plan so far, it is reassuring to know that help is available if needed.

Life is uncertain at best. At our age, each day is a blessing. While the life of an elderly is a toss of the dice, you can improve your odds by having a  plan.

For example:

• Plan whether you will spend the rest of your days at home or in a care center
• What measures to take in case of health and mobility problems
• Are your finances in order
• Do you have quick access to medical facilities and transport
• Who will take care of you when you no longer can’t?
• Have you made your will or funeral arrangements in case of death?

Never leave these things to chance to prevent chaos for those you leave behind. Having them in place is mentally reassuring.

Exercise and have enough sleep

Exercise is important to people regardless of age. It is a must when they hit the 60s and beyond. Not only is it physically good, but mentally as well.

Here’s how exercise keeps you mentally healthy:

• Boosts self-esteem, raise self-worth and self-confidence
• Helps lower blood pressure, strengthens the immune system and many others
• Promotes better sleep
• Provides a good opportunity to meet other people.

And sleep?

Don’t fall for the fallacy that elderly need fewer hours of sleep each day. Sleep is as important as food and you should get the full serving of 7 to 8 hours a day. Anything less will result in:

• poor concentration
• bad mood and irritability
• feelings of lethargy
• a weak immune system

Eat well, drink moderately and stay hydrated

Eating well is not going on a diet – as the word is commonly defined. It is getting the right kinds of nutrients in your meals.

Eating well helps you maintain a healthy weight, blood pressure and the energy to stay active. It is a hedge against arthritis, diabetes, and various heart conditions.

Old age affects a body’s ability to absore alcohol – too much of it. But it is healthy if taken moderately like one or two drinks in a day. However, consult your doctor regarding this as it doesn’t sit well with certain medications and may exacerbate some forms of medical issues.

And don’t substitute it for water. Stay hydrated. Dehydration can result from some pysiological changes due to aging. Several studies have shown that dehydration has a negative impact on cognitive functions such as memory, focus, and critical thinking.

Relax and enjoy life

If there is a time in your life to relax and enjoy life, it is now. The kids are done through college, mortgage payments are done with (presumably), and you have all the time in your life to do whatever you wish to do – travel, write a book, engage in a hobby or your favorite sport.

Reach out to old friends or establish new ones. Don’t withdraw into your shell, but be in the hub of activity, of action and adventure, of laughter and merrymaking. Your brain’s synapses never stop growing and these things are the nutrients for their perpetual growth.

Make your life as stress-free as possible.  Stress makes your thinking murky, as a drop of ink does to a cup of water.

Be grateful

No matter how down on your luck you may be, there is always a reason to be grateful. The grass on your neighbor’s yard may not be green but parched arid and overgrown with weeds.

You don’t have enough money Be grateful you are not in a shelter for the homeless.

Suffering from chronic illnesses Bear in mind that a lot of people your age are on life support or have but a few hours or days to live.

Be grateful that you are walking above the ground while many of your relatives, associates or friends are six feet beneath.

Things are never worse than you think they are. The Dalai Lama said,

“Gratitude is the healthiest of human emotions.”

Other than emotional health, gratitude:

• improves relationships
• is good for physical and emotional health
• enhances empathy and reduces aggressive behavior
• can help you sleep better
• increases self-esteem
• increases mental strength

Being mentally healthy doesn’t mean you won’t suffer the pangs of loneliness or the wretchedness of depression. You may hurt others due to occasional mood swings. But a healthy mind can recognize these as nothing but momentary episodes of emotions stoked by stressful events or circumstances.

Worldwide, avout 16% adults aged 60 and above suffer from a mental disorder. Not a shattering figure but still of serious concern as the population ages.  That leaves you with a choice whether to live among the ranks of elderly people living in the darkness of their thoughts or bask in the sunshine of a healthy mind.

And do help others by sharing this modest piece.

~oOo~

The post How to Stay Mentally Healthy in Old Age first appeared on Age With Charm.

Are elderly people cranky Does their mood rise and fall like the tide, or follow the lunar cycle?

These are the common perceptions younger people have of elderly people.

While a few may fit the mold, but they are the exception rather than the rule. A lot of old fellas are friendly, jaunty, jovial and can give a toothless smile in a snap of the fingers.

That, despite the torments they have to live with every day.

What is bipolar disorder

Bipolar disorder in seniors

Effects of bipolar disorder

Genetics

Family history

High mood symptoms

• Feeling of elation
• Energetic and active
• Feeling “jumpy” or excited
• Have sleep problems
• Talk fast about a lot of things
• Agitated and irritable
• Doing a lot of things at once
• Do risky things like spend a lot of money or have reckless sex

Coping with bipolar disorder

An estimated 4.4% of U.S. adults experience bipolar disorder at some time in their lives. It is an incurable disease and can have a severe effect on your health and well-being.

Image:https://bit.ly/2Qa6xqJ

~oOo~

The post What is Bipolar Disorder and How to Cope with It first appeared on Age With Charm.

Anxiety disorder is a common mental illness characterized by feelings of uneasiness, worry, and fear. While anxiety can happen to anyone if you have an anxiety disorder, you will feel an inappropriate and unreasonable amount of agitation, worry, and fear.

It comes next to depression as one of the most common mental health issues among the elderly. In fact, they are closely interrelated and as difficult to diagnose. According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control), about 50% of seniors with depression also suffer from an anxiety disorder – according to the CDC.

There are several types of anxiety disorders, i.e., generalized anxiety disorder, phobias, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Of the six, generalized anxiety disorder and phobias are the most common among seniors. This article, therefore, shall focus on these two so you will know what they are, their symptoms and how to cope with them.

Read on…

Generalized anxiety disorder

General anxiety disorder causes worry or fear that gets worse over time. It will affect your social life, your job, and day-to-day activities. Seniors with severe cases of GAD become withdrawn and reclusive.

The most common symptoms of GAD are:

• Excessive, uncontrollable worry/anxiety
• Edginess, nervousness, or restlessness
• Chronic fatigue or tires out fast
• Irritable or low-fused
• Poor sleep quality or difficulty falling/staying asleep
• Tensed muscles

Generalized anxiety disorder is caused by any or a combination of the following:

• A history of anxiety in the family
• Prolonged exposure to stressful situations like an illness or combat duty
• Excessive use of caffeine or tobacco
• Abuse when young.

How to cope with generalized anxiety disorder

Anxiety can increase your heart rate, causes palpitation and chest pains. It increases the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and other coronary events.

It is necessary, therefore to deal with it deals you in.

Here’s how…

1.  Don’t withdraw

When you start feeling anxious, don’t withdraw from people or from a crowd. Rather, stay put and get involved. Join activities that can foster a sense of belonging, of giving you some purpose.

2.  Talk to someone

Don’t go at it alone. Find someone to talk to – a friend, brother or sister, your confessor on anybody open to idle talk. When you do, don’t talk about your problems but anything to take your mind off your anxiety. Besides, nobody is interested in your problems.

A good conversation is therapeutic. It makes you forget your problems, it feeds the mind and is a learning experience.

3.  Laugh

How are phobias developed

I developed claustrophobia from some movies I saw as a young child but I could not pin a cause for my fear of heights. And maybe you, too, will find it difficult to recall the cause(s) of your phobia. At any rate, phobias are triggered by any or some of the following:

• Unforgettable incidents or traumas. Having been stuck in an elevator in the past will most likely make you fearful of using an elevator again. Images of the past will come rushing in just be the mere mention of it.
• Learned responses. As a child, I and some friends loved to shoot house lizards with rubberband-propelled darts. Images of those we killed and buried somehow developed in me a fear of dead animals – including people.  Not dead lizards only. I fear anything that slithers like snakes and other reptiles.
• Genetics. Some research shows that phobias are inherited, too. It means you are more prone to develop a phobia that exists in the family.
• Long-term stress. This can cause feelings of anxiety and depression, and reduce your ability to cope with particular situations. If repeated regularly, over the long haul, a phobia may set in. It’s kind of “here we go again,” kind of thing.

How to cope with a phobia

We all have phobias of one form or another. That’s perfectly normal. They are nothing to be ashamed of or be embarrassed about.

It becomes abnormal when they drive you with fearful anxiety; throw your world upside down. If they do, then these practical tips will help you cope with them:

 1.  Avoidance

I have a phobia for heights. Luckily, I am not afraid to fly. What I dread most is to stand on a ledge of a tall building, looking down.

How to beat the phobia Keep away from the ledge and instead of looking down, enjoy the panorama of the surrounding landscape. This will take your mind off your fear.

2.  Increase your tolerance

This involves gradually exposing yourself to the situation you are fearful about, i.e., heights, bugs, crowded streets, then withdrawing when your anxiety level builds up.

Keep this cycle of exposure and withdrawal until you get over your phobia. Some allergies are treated this way. Over time, your phobia will just fade away like a wisp of smoke.

3.  Meet it head-on

While increasing your tolerance is gradual acclimatization to the source of your phobia, meeting it head-on is facing your phobia directly in the face and see who blinks first.

While this may seem to be fraught with danger, but this is the best and fastest way of removing a source of your anxiety.

4.  Join a support group

Oftentimes, you may feel weak and powerless to cope with your phobia alone. You can get over this state of helplessness by joining the group.

A support group can help you realize that you are not alone; that so many people out there are are also driven to anxiety over one or more phobias. A group makes you feel empowered and accepted and it is a good hedge against depression.

5.  Try medication

If nothing of the above works, try medication – but only after consulting your doctor.

Take note, however, that these drugs will only address the effects of your phobia, not cure you of it. One of these drugs, for example, are anti-depressants like Xanax which can only lessen your feelings of anxiety, or beta-blockers which block the stimulating effect of the adrenalin in the body.

Anxiety disorder is a common mental health issue among people regardless of age. Though it may not have serious and lasting impact on younger people, it is a cause for concern among seniors because of its side effects.

More worrisome is the fact that anxiety disorder is difficult to detect and diagnose. More often than not, it is taken as a sign of aging.  Well, they are not and if you feel any of the above symptoms, consult your doctor before it’s too late.

~oOo~

The post Get Rid of Anxiety Disorder Once and For All first appeared on Age With Charm.

Right now, a guy is struggling with depression. He could be the guy next to you in a coffee shop or sitting forlornly in a park. He could be walking along aimlessly in a shopping mall or sitting in the far corner of a dark movie house. Or it could be you.

You are listless and can’t seem to figure out what to do. Somehow you feel sad, yet not knowing why. The world seems out of whack.

Though you know something is wrong (with you or the world around you), yet you could not put a finger on it.

But you know you have to snap out of it, get back to the real world, before it sucks you into its dark womb, like a black hole.

You have to unfetter yourself from its deadly grasp.

What is depression

Often called major depressive disorder, it a common and serious mental disorder that negatively affects your feelings, thoughts, and actions.

It causes feelings of sadness and loss of interest in things once enjoyed. It is serious because it can lead to a variety of physical and emotional problems, decreases your ability to function at work and at home.

We all experience occasional bad days when everything seems to go wrong; feel adrift and listless, lose a sense of purpose and eating and sleeping are impossible.

However, if it lasts for weeks or months, you may be suffering from clinical depression – the kind of depression that is not caused by a loss or a loved one, or a medical condition like thyroid disorder. It could be a case of mental disorder.

Depression in the elderly

Simple depression among the elderly is common, but it is not a part of the aging process. It may be caused by important changes in life like a loss of a loved one, transitioning from work to retirement, or dealing with a chronic illness.

Chronic depression is something else. And it comes in many common forms like:

Major depression

This type involves severe symptoms that interfere with your ability to work, sleep, study, eat and enjoy life.

Persistent depressive disorder

This type usually lasts for 2 years or more. A person with a persistent depressive disorder may experience bouts of major depression along with persistent depressive disorder.

Diagnosing depression in the elderly is difficult because it often mimics normal age-related issues or effects of other illnesses and medications.

To make matters worse, victims are often not willing to talk about their feelings or understand its signs and symptoms.

Why is depression bad for the elderly

Elderly depression is usually caused by loneliness, medical illnesses and disabilities. They may last longer compared to that in younger people.

Whereas younger people can snap out of it easily, seniors are not that resilient, and failure to cope with it may result in serious medical conditions like:

• Cardiac arrest
• Increased risk of death from an illness
• A person’s inability to rehabilitate from an illness
• Increased risk of suicide.

Risk factors for elderly depression

• Being single, unmarried, divorced, or widowed
• Lack of a supportive social network
• Stressful life events
• Damage to body image i.e., amputation, illnesses like cancer, heart attack
• A family history of depressive disorder
• Living alone, or socially isolated
• Chronic and severe pain
• Loss of a loved one
• Substance abuse

Symptoms of elderly depression

The most common symptoms of this mental issue, according to the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry, include the following:

• Persistent sadness
• Feeling slowed down
• Excessive worries about finances and health problems
• Frequent crying
• Feeling worthless or helpless
• Weight changes
• Pacing or fidgeting
• Difficulty in sleeping and concentrating
• Somatic complaints (unexplained physical pain or gastrointestinal problems)
• Withdrawal from social activities

Treatment options for elderly depression

Clinical depression can be treated if diagnosed early. So if you think you are having depression episodes consult your healthcare provider or a doctor specializing in mental health conditions, i.e., psychologist or psychiatrist.

Treatment modes differ for each person. Sometimes your doctor may recommend a combination of treatments and number of treatment sessions. At any rate, it could be any or a combination of the following:

Psychotherapy

Also known as “talk therapy,” or “cognitive behavioral therapy,” psychotherapy focuses on helping you change negative thinking and behavior that make your depression worse.

It can help you understand or walk you through troubled relationships that may be causing your negative mood. Or it could be problem-solving sessions.

This type of treatment may last between 10 to 20 week depending on your need.

Anti-depressants

Anti-depressants help your brain improve the way it uses certain chemicals that control mood.

There are several anti-depressants in the market which are all under doctor’s prescription. Some may have side-effects like nausea, increased appetite, loss of sexual desire, insomnia, fatigue, and drowsiness, etc.

Antidepressants may take 2 to 4 weeks to work, and must be taken as prescribed. You can only stop if your doctor says so.

Be aware that they can result to addiction or dependency.

How to cope with elderly depression

Depression starts in the mind and must be stopped at its source. No matter what treatment options you take, if your mind is a fertile ground for this mental issue to thrive it will come back.

Here are some helpful tips to do that:

1.  Develop a sense of purpose

People 60 years old and above must have had several traumatic experiences already. While some can easily be forgotten, a few remain to haunt you. And it is tough dealing with shadows of the past. It can make you lose your bearings; make feel adrift.

To stop them from swallowing you up, do something interesting like like a hobby, or do something you are passionate about. Do volunteer work or teach out-of-school youths.

Having a purpose allows you to get your bearings back; enriches your life and makes you forget the past.

2. Develop a network

You must have heard the famous saying, “Misery loves company.” Don’t take it literally. People don’t want to be a sounding board of your life’s troubles and cares.

But do go out to get in touch with friends if you are in a depressive mood. if you do, don’t unload your shit on them. There is not faster way of driving away people than by saddling them of your problems. Talk about something else.

Be with people who are optimistic about life, not as miserable as you are.

Socializing with positive-minded people is a good antidote for depression and helps improve your physical, mental and emotional health.

3. Exercise

Exercise and depression are not the best of buddies. So if you start having depressive moods, put on your sneakers and work up a little sweat.

It need not be the pumping iron type (but it doesn’t do any harm). Hiking,  biking, zumba, or tai-chi are the prescribed activities for seniors with creaking bones and messed-up minds.

Or you can devise your own like going up and down staircases, brisk walking, deep breathing, calisthenics, etc.

Go for group exercises for extra motivation.

4. Eat brain-health foods

“Diet plays a huge role in depression,” says Shawn Talbot, PhD., nutritional biochemist and author of the book, 7 Days to Unlimited Energy, Focus, and Well-being.

Yes, most of us overlook the fact that just as there are foods good for the body, there are also foods for the brain.

For example, these are good to fight off depression:

• Dark leafy vegetables
• Walnuts
• Avocado
• Berries
• Tomatoes
• Beans, etc.

5. Go out and have fun

Going out for a long drive is my main elixir against depression.

Sometimes the suffocating familiarity of your home can be depressing; your daily routine can be depressing. And your neighbor’s dog (or the neighbor) can be depressing.

Getting away from all these by taking a long walk or drive can be very therapeutic. It takes your mind off the things that are eating you alive.

“Concerns should drive us into action, not depression. No man is free who cannot control himself.” – Pythagoras

Depression starts from the mind and it must be stopped in the mind.

~oOo~

The post Everything You Need to Know about Depression first appeared on Age With Charm.

When you talk about “health” with friends, in most cases, the focus is on physical, not mental health. There is nothing wrong with it. Except that it misses the bigger picture – mental health dictates your level of physical health.

Mental health refers to “cognitive, behavioral, and emotional well-being – it is all about how we think, feel and behave.” In short, it is the absence of mental disorders.

A sound mental health makes you who you are. And one essential component of mental health is “emotion regulation.”

Music and Mental Health

Emotion regulation is “the process by which people modify their emotions.” It can be done several ways but listening to music is the most pleasant, convenient and enjoyable.

This is not one of those wifey tales but backed by several studies. Music does affect emotions positively or negatively – depending on the music genre. If used properly, music is therapeutic. In fact, this finding gave rise to clinical music therapists – professionals who use evidence-based music interventions to accomplish individualized goals in a therapeutic environment.

Mental Health Benefits of Music

Unless you have music anhedonia, it is safe to say music complements your day. You are never far away from your favorite tunes. You have them all on your smartphone. They entertain you, give you pleasure. They also stimulate your brain to do things you never know or expect such as:

Improves focus:

Do you know why some offices have piped-in music It is for this purpose.

Music with a tempo of 60 bpm (beats per minute) like classical music, for example, increases the brain’s information processing efficiency.

But keep the volume low and soft as a background of whatever you are doing.

Facilitates expression:

Ask any music artist what drove them to pursue their passion and the answer will be the same – a means of self-expression.

If your emotions are getting a grip on you and expressing yourself is impossible, sit before a piano and hit a few keys or pick a guitar and strum a few notes and start composing lyrics to a song.

Don’t worry how it comes out. Nobody has to hear it unless you want them to.

Increases creativity:

If you are stuck in a difficult project or problems in making your budget meet, try listening to different types of music and see what works best for you.

Studies show that listening to happy music may just be what you need to wiggle out of your problems.

Improves social connection:

If you spend a few minutes each day on Facebook, you will never miss seeing members sharing music albums – from the latest to the oldest. These little acts of thoughtfulness will not go unnoticed and very soon you too will be inclined to share some of your favorite tunes.

Music binds people together, regardless of culture, creed, race, sex or political inclination. It touches the soul and moves the body.

Increases motivation:

Do you know that in some competitive sports, the wearing of earplugs is not allowed The reason To prevent athletes to gain a competitive advantage over those who don’t.

Music energizes the body’s sympathetic nervous system. This, in turn, primes the body for action when faced with a challenge or excitement. It opens the airways, increases heart rate and gears the muscles for action.

If you are skeptic about his, go to any disco and you have proof aplenty.

Makes you relax:

There are about 16 music genres to make you relax – depending on your mood and your idea of relaxation.

No scientific breakthroughs or complicated studies are needed to back this up. But music loosens you up, makes you relax. It is kind of an aperitif for a wonderful evening of food, wine, and dance.

Music Genres Good for the Mental Health of Seniors:

Nobody’s stopping you from listening to hard rock or heavy metal but do it with caution. These types of music can irritate your eardrums, make your heart beat faster, and increase your blood pressure.

Face it, you are not as robust as before, so settle for something more subdued and suitable to your age like the following:

• Blues
• Classical
• Country
• Electronic (music performed using synthesizers and other electronic instruments)
• Folk
• Jazz
• New Age (chiefly instrumental music characterized by light melodic harmonies and sounds from the natural world intended to promote serenity.
• Reggae

You may either listen to them from your sound system or from your smartphone through earplugs.

To have a variation from the usual environment of home, watch choral concerts or full-man orchestra. There is something magical about watching live music. It evokes pleasant memories of the past and seeing the performers sway to the beat of their performance make you feel a part of the whole show, not just a spectator.

But these come far between, so to fill the gap and enjoy a wonderful evening of excellent company, good food, wine, and music, go to a bar near you that provides live band entertainment on weekends. These jaunts provide a good reason for having a change in environment.

CareLinx has a list of great hits for the elderly – from the 60s to 90s.

A millennial was overheard in describing the effects of music on her. She flushed:

“It’s indescribable how listening to a song can change everything. It’s said that a powerful enough song can even change your life. Music can even teach what humanity cannot always – how to be human, live, feel and love. I’d recommend to anyone that if things aren’t going right, and you don’t know what to do, just turn up some good music, and tune out for a few minutes before you attempt to figure everything out again.”

Music is ageless and it if has that kind of effect on the young, it can also have the same effect on old people like you and me.

And remember, “music is an amazing drug-free way to improve the quality of life for the elderly. It reduces stress, anxiety, and pain. It improves the immune system, helps memory and encourages exercise.”

Image: https://goo.gl/jrCwXB

~oOo~

The post What Music can Do to Improve Mental Health first appeared on Age With Charm.