The leaves are falling, but for some of us, so are our moods.
You may be feeling, as the young like to say, “meh”, or have noticed a decline in your energy levels.
If you’ve found your mood has dialled back since the clocks wound back, read on. This article provides some simple tips for maintaining emotional well-being during the cold, winter months.
When it comes to exercise, lower your expectations
When you’re low on energy, everything feels – so – much – harder.
Finding the strength and willpower to get up and out is challenging. There is no doubt that exercise is beneficial to our mental and physical health. But it’s a mission to get motivated when you’re feeling low.
Setting yourself a 5-minute walk goal instead of a 30-minute one might move the psychological barrier.
Getting out the door is half the battle, and once you start walking you’ll probably find 5 minutes lead to 10, and 10 leads to 20, which some say is the magic number!
The magic number is 20 minutes
Depending on what study you read, twenty minutes of exercise 5 times a week can lower depression risk for older adults. Others say 30 minutes three times a week.
Regardless, movement matters, and it doesn’t have to be much to make a difference.
Source: health.com/daily-exercise-lower-depression-older-adults-7562240
Of course, a nice place to walk, somewhere safe, pretty, and easy to get around helps.
Fairview Lifestyle Village residents admit they’re lucky. There’s nothing like strolling through lush tropical gardens, breathing in fresh air, and meeting like-minded people.
But it’s not just movement that makes a difference, daylight does too.
Wintertime can leave us starved for light, which can negatively impact our energy levels, alertness, mood, and cognitive function.
Natural daylight boosts our mood and well-being. Research has shown that serotonin levels in the brain are lowest in winter, which can lead to feelings of depression.
That’s why getting as much natural light as you can is so important.
Bathe in the forest
Forest bathing brings to mind some interesting images.
First of all, you don’t actually ‘bathe’, which is good given the temperature. I’d say bask would be a better description.
And you don’t need a forest, any natural environment will do. Although, for the record, we do have stunning bush surroundings in our Village!
Why is ‘forest bathing’ so important?
Forest bathing is about being in nature and consciously connecting with what’s around you. What you can see is pretty magical.
“Autumn is such a miraculous time of year. I always take some moments to still myself and just be with the trees as they release their foliage.
It occurred to me one day that I was the only person in the history of this universe who had witnessed that particular leaf fall at that particular moment in that particular place!
Now that’s a miracle – and a perfect reminder that change is the most natural thing in the world”.
June, aged 78.
Visit a public open space
Open spaces bring people together
According to one study, having large public open spaces is essential for supporting wellbeing as we age. This is because they promote social cohesion, create a sense of belonging, and help to:
- Mitigate unpleasant urban environments
- Encourage social mingling
- Encourage physical activity
- Enable autonomy
Source: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9737378/
Fairview Lifestyle Village has designed its facility to encourage connectivity. There are many public open spaces for residents and their families to come together.
It’s also very spacious. As for how space affects mood, there are several factors.
Open spaces facilitate movement and provide a sense of openness.
Not all villages offer this feature. Some can feel quite claustrophobic. High-rise buildings loom over the grounds, casting shadows and creating an overbearing atmosphere that can feel intimidating. Corridors that are too
narrow only add to the feeling of constriction – some you can barely get a wheelchair through.
A spacious village, on the other hand, has wide corridors, high ceilings, and large dining areas for family and friends. As a result, the sun shines through more naturally, which facilitates social connections. This brings me to my next point.
Stay connected
Strong social connections improve physical and mental health, protecting against loneliness and depression. Researchers have found that seniors’ health and psychological well-being improve when they:
- Like and care about other people
- Have fun together
- Feel comfortable confiding in each other
- Remind each other to stay healthy (Blieszner & Adams, 1992).
In other words, when they have good friends! This reminds me of the classic sitcom The Golden Girls. All of these things… and more… were part of their bond!
You might think this is fiction and impossible to do in real life. But some villages just have a vibe. They’re friendly, genuine, and fun.
“We often say ‘What would we be doing if we weren’t here’. I don’t think we would be as happy. We wouldn’t have the friends we have here.”
Mary
“This is a happy village and it’s a homely village. It’s not clinical, it’s a community”.
Bev
One of the reasons why lifestyle villages can foster authentic connections is because they are very ‘levelling’ as one resident put it.
“You’re of the same mindset – so much in common – it’s very levelling. It doesn’t matter how much wealth anyone has, you’re all living in the same place. No one is going to put themselves above you. There’s no bragging to the Jones about doing better. What’s the point – your house is no different to ours!”
John
It’s certainly easier to stay connected when you live in a lifestyle village. The closer you are to each other, the easier it is to meet up.
“Last night we looked at the menu and said let’s eat at the lodge. We made a couple of phone calls, and other residents joined us. That would never happen in the past. We could call people to come with us to a restaurant, but it hardly ever happened before. It was all too hard”.
June
Plus there are lots of activities and hobbies to enjoy, so doing things together is a breeze. You can catch up with friends at the cafe and restaurant. Alongside the weekly happy hours, many special events are arranged to bring people together.
Which brings me to my next point – interests, activities and hobbies.
Keep your hobbies going, or take up a new one
It’s easy to press pause on activities during the winter months.
Some seniors limit pursuits to just the basics because it’s easier than getting out. Budgetary concerns can also weigh heavily on their decision to pursue hobbies and activities – especially when power bills are higher.
But it’s really important to keep them going, for the sake of your well-being.
This is where a lifestyle village can really help. It’s so much easier to stay active and pursue interests when they are literally on your doorstep and they don’t cost anything. There are many activities each day at our village – check them out here.
Winter wellness wrap-up
Shorter days and less sunlight during the colder months can make us feel less energetic. There can be a strong temptation to hibernate.
In spite of this, it’s vital to stay connected and get out and about – even if it’s just for a short while.
Even as the leaves fall and the temperatures drop, living in a supportive, beautiful community ensures that spirits remain buoyant and well-being remains intact.
Your senior years, after all, should be just that – filled with warmth, sunshine and vibrant health, regardless of the season.
If you haven’t visited our village yet, please do. We’d love to welcome you to one of our Open Days. Take a stroll around the gardens, view one of our homes, visit our Butterfly House and chat to the residents.
A move to a village like ours could be just the tonic you need this winter.
*Please note that this blog is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you’re experiencing feelings of sadness, difficulty sleeping, low concentration, energy and depression; seek help from your healthcare provider. If you are a resident of Fairview Lifestyle Village, you can also have a discreet chat with one of our nurses.
