Emotional Wellness Activities for Seniors in Burlington, NJ

According to AARP's Second Half of Life Study, 34% of seniors aged 80 and over are "very happy." Among seniors in their 70s, 27% are also very happy. Relationships, health, and hobbies were all sources of enjoyment for these seniors.

Engaging in emotional wellness activities can benefit your mental and physical well-being. They can offer enrichment for older adults, enhancing their overall quality of life.

Unsure of which activities to explore while living in Burlington, NJ? Read on to learn more!

Social Wellness for Seniors

Social isolation and loneliness in older people pose health risks, according to the National Institute on Aging. Maintaining social connections helps us survive and thrive. As we age, loneliness and social isolation may increase our risk of:

Cognitive decline
High blood pressure
Heart disease
A weakened immune system
Obesity
Depression
Anxiety
Alzheimer's disease

Engaging in productive, meaningful activities with other seniors can improve your mood. It may give you a sense of purpose and belonging, which can improve your longevity.

According to this study, social connectedness is a potential universal remedy for cognitive impairment. People who consistently engage in a diversity of social realms exercise neuropathways. This may help protect them against the degenerative effects of dementia and other age-related cognitive impairments.

Engaging with other seniors can enhance your cognitive function and physical health. Both naturally decline as we age.

If you feel alone, consider moving into a Burlington senior living community. You can explore senior support programs that can benefit your health and overall quality of life.

Emotional Health in Aging Seniors

Prioritizing emotional health in aging seniors may help:

You manage your thoughts and feelings
Discover new meaning and purpose in life
You connect socially
You adapt to changes and challenges
Lower your risk of sickness and disease
Boost your recovery time
Improve your mental health
Increase your resilience
Boost your self-esteem
Improve your productivity

Here are a few tips for enrichment in older adults.

Reach Out

Surrounding yourself with friends could help:

Increase your longevity
Give you a sense of purpose and belonging
Decrease feelings of depression
Lower cognitive decline
Reduce your risk of dementia
Help you stay active
Reduce your risk of age-related conditions

If you're struggling to make friends, explore your local senior living community.Their events and activities calendar can help you find opportunities to connect with others. You can make friends by:

Enrolling in continuing education courses
Finding AARP communities
Joining support groups
Joining an exercise class
Volunteering
Exploring Burlington together

Try striking up a conversation with a stranger. Though it may feel awkward at first, chances are they're nervous to break the ice themselves.

Once you make new friends, extend social invitations. Invite them for coffee or lunch to fill your schedule.

Explore Hobbies

Hobbies can help you connect with other seniors and find more enjoyment in life.These can include:

Playing an instrument
Dancing
Learning to speak a new language
Crafting
Reading
Board and video games
Cooking
Writing
Gardening
Birdwatching

Explore your senior living community's events and activities calendar for more engaging hobbies.

Exercise Regularly

According to the CDC, about 28% of seniors are inactive. Potential benefits of regular exercise include:

Reduced blood pressure
Improved sleep quality
Improved bone health
Better balance and coordination
Lower risk of type 2 diabetes
Lower risk of stroke and heart disease
Reduced risk of dementia
Reduced risk of depression and anxiety

Explore your senior living community's fitness program to discover fun exercise classes. Exercising alongside friends can keep you motivated. They may hold you accountable to attend classes regularly, improving your emotional and physical wellness.

These classes may include:

Walking and hiking groups
Water aerobics or swimming
Cycling
Tai chi
Yoga
Weight lifting
Using resistance bands
Balance and stretching exercises
Dancing
Pilates

Try to include strength training, aerobic, and balance activities in your routine. Exercising may help you maintain your independence longer, improving your quality of life.

Journal

Journaling can help you explore complex emotions or situations without fear of judgment. This practice can:

Boost your mood
Preserve memories and improve recall
Break negative or obsessive thoughts
Enhance self-awareness
Lower blood pressure
Reduce stress and anxiety

Dedicate 15 minutes to journaling each day. Don't worry about making punctuation, spelling, or grammar errors. Instead, use this as an opportunity to express yourself without encumberment.

Meditate

Meditating involves focusing your attention on the present. It may help improve your mindfulness and self-awareness. Other potential benefits include:

Strengthening your immune system
Increasing your attention span
Improved sleep
Lower blood pressure
Reduced pain
Reduced risk of depression
improved mood

Explore your senior living community's wellness program. They may offer guided meditation sessions. You can also meditate alone using an app.

Eat Healthy

Use meals as an opportunity to socialize. Asking friends to join you for meals may help:

Strengthen social connections
Improve your mood and mental health
Lower stress and anxiety
Improve your communication skills
Encourage you to choose healthy foods

Explore your senior living community's dining program for healthy, chef-prepared meals. Choose dishes that feature whole foods, including:

Whole grains
Lean meats and fish
Eggs
Legumes
Nuts and seeds
Fruits and vegetables
Healthy fats

These foods are rich in vitamins and minerals, including antioxidants. Antioxidants fight oxidative stress and inflammation, which are associated with chronic health conditions. Adding these foods to your diet can benefit your physical and mental performance.

Join Senior Support Groups

Your senior living community may host support groups for grief, health conditions, or other shared experiences. Their group therapy activities may help you navigate a difficult situation.

Members of your support group can offer you access to helpful resources. You can learn from their past experiences navigating similar situations. Their support may help you feel less alone and empowered.

Explore Emotional Wellness Activities

Neglecting your emotional health could compromise your overall well-being. Before that happens, add these emotional wellness activities to your routine. Remember, moving into a Burlington senior living community could make all the difference.

Enhance your retirement with our team at Granville Place Assisted Living. We help residents thrive by developing individualized care plans.

Enjoy our exclusive senior lifestyle programs and amenities, including engaging social activities, senior-specific wellness services, and more. Contact us now to schedule your tour.