Celebrating Healthy Aging Through Every Season
September is Healthy Aging Month. A time to focus on the positive aspects of growing older while shining a spotlight on the unique challenges that can impact your physical and mental wellbeing as you age. One of those challenges is adapting to seasonal changes.
Healthy aging isn’t just about eating well and staying active but understanding how shifts in the weather, temperature, and daylight can influence how you feel and function – your mobility, your mood, your energy, even your social activities. But you are not alone. Our Senior Life Solutions program is here to provide you with the emotional support and encouragement you need to weather these changes with confidence.
How the Seasons Impact Senior Health
What might be considered a minor inconvenience for younger adults can quickly become a significant health concern for seniors, making year-round wellness planning essential for healthy aging. Here are the key challenges each season brings.
Fall
As the beautiful fall days get shorter and the air becomes crisp, you might notice your joints feeling stiffer or your arthritis acting up more than usual. With less sunlight, your vitamin D levels can drop, and it is not unusual to feel a little more tired or even a bit down. Be sure to dress warmly and stay connected with friends and family. Now’s not the time to isolate yourself. Keep doing the things that bring you joy and make a special effort to remain in contact with those who matter to you.
Winter
Winter can be a real bear. Cold temperatures can make your joints stiff, increase your risk of slipping or falling, and leave your skin feeling dry. Not to mention it’s also the cold and flu season. Staying active becomes increasingly more difficult and often means spending less time with others. And with even less sunlight, you can find yourself feeling isolated or sad. The winter blues are real, so don’t try to dismiss those feelings. Stick to routines that make you feel good and resist the urge to withdraw from social interactions with others. You’d be surprised how uplifting a phone call with a friend can be.
Spring
Spring isn’t just in the air it’s also in your step. You can’t wait to get outdoors and become active again. But if you’re someone battling seasonal allergies, you can quickly find yourself feeling drained and have trouble breathing. After months of winter routines, the transition can be overwhelming, and jumping back into activities too fast might lead to muscle strain. Pace yourself as you embrace new routines. If allergies get the best of you, keep an eye on pollen counts and have your medication on hand. And ease back into your physical activities, it’s not a sprint.
Summer
Summer sun has an amazing way of lifting spirits, but it comes with its challenges for seniors. Hot, muggy days can put you at higher risk for dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke, especially if you’re taking certain medications. When it’s too hot to go outside, you might find yourself feeling restless or, once again, lonely, if not balanced with indoor activities and staying in touch with others. Drink plenty of water, wear breathable clothing, and apply plenty of sunscreen when you go outside. Plan your outdoor time for early morning or the evening hours when it’s cooler. If you can, spend the rest of the day in the comfort of air conditioning.
Mental Health for Every Season
Because weather-related changes can impact your mental health just as much as your physical health, you can experience increased feelings of loneliness, anxiety, or depression. That’s where Senior Life Solutions comes in. It’s an outpatient therapy program that helps you face emotional or behavioral health challenges whether they’re brought on by seasonal changes, life changes, or ongoing health concerns.
Our team offers:
- Group or individual therapy
- Education about coping skills and healthy aging
- Support for emotional well-being year-round
Take The First Step to Healthy Aging
As we recognize Healthy Aging Month, take a moment to reflect and think about how the seasons affect you. Have you noticed feeling sadder when the days get shorter? Do you feel more anxious when weather patterns change? Or maybe you’ve been withdrawing from activities you used to love?
If any of this sounds familiar, please know that the Senior Life Solutions team is here for you. For more information about Senior Life Solutions or to enroll, call (217) 322-4321.