For seniors, winter can often increase isolation and bring on feelings of sadness and depression. But there are steps seniors can take to minimize the effects of winter’s dark days.
Stand up to loneliness
Winter can be the loneliest time of year for seniors who are unable to safely negotiate the frozen landscape. For those residing in senior living communities, spending time together has been an easy way to keep the blues at bay while waiting for the ice to thaw. For seniors who don’t have the community structure senior living provides, it is especially important to stay in touch with friends, family and community as much as possible during the gray winter months. Whether it’s meeting for occasional meals together, enjoying a movie, or just taking a walk.
Keeping the communication going can help eliminate feelings of isolation while bringing a little joy and companionship back into life.
Reach out to winter
When temperatures plummet, our first instinct may be to stay inside and cozy up. Hot tea, soft blankets, perhaps a furry companion. But as counterintuitive as it might sound, reaching out and connecting to winter can be a fantastic way to maintain our mental health and happiness. Yes, winter is harsh, but it can also be peaceful and even beautiful. The sun twinkling off fresh snow, the clean, fresh air, and even the cold can boost the spirit. This article from the National Nordic Museum details how Norwegians jump at the chance to not only embrace winter but to celebrate it! It’s called “friluftsliv”, and in Norway it’s a chance to enjoy nature, get exercise, and stave off the stress and loneliness of isolation. The article provides further information on friluftsliv and also suggests some simple steps to take to enjoy winter outdoors while staying safe and comfortable.
The case for nature
For some, embracing winter might mean a short walk or a brief respite in a near-by park or other community space. Winter, however, can also provide a view of nature that can go unnoticed during warmer months. Snow covers much, but can also be revealing.
Animal tracks in woods, fields, and forests can be fun to follow and try to identify. The leafless trees and bushes also make it easier to see a variety of birds — from large raptors like eagles, hawks, and owls, to small songbirds like bright red cardinals and lovely cedar waxwings. Most important of all is the impact just being in nature can have on human well-being. This article from Positive Psychology looks at the many physical and psychological benefits of spending time in nature.
Lighten up!
Darkness and winter are almost synonymous to many, thanks to the shorter days and often overcast skies. One thing science now knows for sure about winter is that lower light levels can have a significant impact on overall feelings of sadness and even depression. Today, this is known as Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, a condition that can begin as daylight hours wane in the fall, and become worse as winter progresses. For many people, a daily dose of vitamin D, either through sunshine or a supplement can help limit the effects of SAD.
According to the Mayo Clinic, light therapy is another option that can help, when it’s the right kind of light and delivered safely. Keeping drapes and blinds open on sunny windows not only provides more natural light, but also extra warmth on sunny days. The key is to get enough light, preferably naturally, to maintain peace of mind and a healthy outlook. Find out more about the importance of light in the Blue Zones article, “Healthier by Design: Impact of Windows and Sunlight on Health, Productivity, Stress.”
Eat your way to a good mood
One more thing all seniors can do to prevent the winter blues is to pay attention to the link between food and mood. In the Blue Zones article, “Good Mood Foods: How Diet Affects Happiness,” author Lani Muelrath, looks at how eating more fruits and vegetables really does keep you healthier (just like mom always said!). An added benefit, according to Muelrath, is that a plant-heavy diet can also keep inflammation in check, and even lower it, which further works to lower stress and depression in the brain, letting happiness shine through.
Living in a senior community can make enjoying winter even easier. Arrow Senior Living communities take a comprehensive and proactive approach to the health and welfare of each resident and strive to meet the highest standards in senior living.
