Senior Citizens
Elderly persons experience physical, psychological and social changes brought about by ageing. To cope with these challenges and enjoy their twilight years, elderly persons should learn how to look after their physical and mental health.
Maintaining mental well-being is not difficult. By integrating the elements of “Sharing”, “Mind” and “Enjoyment” into your daily life, you can live a healthier, happier and more meaningful life.
Sharing
- Stay in touch with others
Regularly meet up with your friends and family in person, or keep in touch with them by phone or via the Internet.
- Stay connected with society
Get yourself involved in the local community. For example, visit a library or community centre nearby and keep an eye on current issues.
- Talk to someone
Do not keep your feelings to yourself. Share both your joy and sadness with your family members, friends or trusted ones. Also share your valuable experience, wisdom and expertise with others.
- Help others
You will feel happy by helping others. Participate in volunteer work and offer help to your neighbours. For example, make small purchases for neighbours and say “please” and “thank you” to others.
- Make new friends
Make new friends through different channels or social activities, such as volunteer work, religious activities and community or elderly centre activities.
Mind
- Reinterpret situations in a rational and positive way
Use positive thinking and values to comprehend different situations. Think positively in a tough circumstance. For example, you may consider ageing as a process of gaining wisdom, knowledge and experience.
- Be humorous and keep laughing
Laugh often. Use your sense of humour to counteract your negative emotions and cheer yourself up.
- Feel grateful
Always think about the good things in your life. Feel grateful for what you already have. Write down three good things at the end of every day.
- Recall good memories
Regularly recall happy past events in your life. For example, you may look for your childhood photos, an old song or a memento that has a special meaning.
- Believe in yourself
Be confident about your abilities. Do not underestimate yourself. Think about what you have achieved, the tough times you have gone through, nice things you have done for others, as well as experience and wisdom you have gained. Write all these positive things down and believe in yourself.
Enjoyment
- Cultivate hobbies and engage in intellectual activities
Engage in enjoyable leisure activities and turn them into your hobbies, such as listening to and singing Chinese opera, painting, and playing a musical instrument. You can also keep your brain smart by engaging in intellectual leisure activities, such as reading books and newspapers, playing chess and knitting.
- Adequate physical activities
Appropriate physical activities are good for your physical and mental health. You can integrate physical activities into your daily life according to your own health conditions. Some examples are walking, hiking and tai chi. Stretching and muscle-strengthening exercises can also improve physical health and fitness. You may consult healthcare professionals to identify which physical activities suit you most.
- Keep yourself active
You can give yourself a sense of achievement and motivation by setting small goals, making day plans, or arranging activities for the coming weeks , such as reading a chapter of a book, going for a walk, tidying up your room, making a phone call to a friend, and arranging activities for your family gathering.
- Keep learning
Learning and mastering new skills can bring you a sense of achievement and improve your mental health. Some examples are calligraphy, flower arrangement and computer operation.
- Take notice of your surroundings
Keep your curiosity fresh and pay attention to your surroundings. An example is to explore and savour the beauty of nature. You may then discover something new that interests you.