Self-therapy has no age restrictions, with enormous benefits no matter where you are in life. But just what is self-therapy and why should seniors be doing more of it in 2020?
Self-therapy is all about healing the body, mind, and spirit by using strategies and tools to deal with anything that’s going on in your life, whether it’s anxiety and stress, worry about the future, or relationship issues. Seniors can benefit from self-therapy by using different techniques to improve emotions and mood and promote relaxation.
Top Benefits of Self-Therapy
Consider the top benefits of self-therapy for seniors:
- Manage anxiety and stress
- Improve sleep
- Calm and relax both body and mind
- Boost emotions and mood
- Keep the mind focused and sharp
- Improve memory
Practicing Self-Therapy
With so many benefits, implementing self-therapy into your daily routine can have an immediate and positive impact. Try one or more of these self-therapy techniques:
Meditation
Join a class and learn how to meditate. Meditating for just 20 minutes a day can lower stress levels, make you feel happier and more alert, and help you sleep better. Try different types of meditations to find what works best for you, including guided and mantra meditations.
Mindfulness
A bit different from meditation, practice mindfulness for a few minutes by closing your eyes, taking deep breaths, and checking in with how you’re feeling both emotionally and spiritually. This is your time to be honest with yourself and acknowledge both negative and positive emotions. You don’t need to take any action – just giving yourself permission to “feel” can change your mood and lower your anxiety.
Walking
Stepping out into the fresh air and walking for 30 minutes is a great low-key way to practice self-therapy. Clear your mind as you walk, focusing on what’s around you. Not only is a daily walk great for your mental health, it keeps your body active.
Journaling
You’re never too old to start journaling. Writing down your thoughts can help you get out your fears, feelings, and frustrations. Journaling can be particularly helpful when you’re working through some changes in your life, letting you keep track of your moods and thoughts.
Creative activities
Whether it’s painting, knitting, or doing the daily crossword, creative activities help to keep your mind engaged as you practice mental self-care.
Eat a balanced diet
Self-therapy means taking care of your body. Eating nutritious foods and limiting processed foods and sugar can help with stress management and balancing your energy levels.
Plan something to look forward to
Whether it’s dinner with a friend or a week-long holiday, looking forward to something helps to keep you focused and excited about the future.
Learn something new
Learning a new hobby is a good way to do something just for you. Your senior years are the perfect time to sign up for that class you’ve never had time for.
Self-therapy is an empowering experience, giving you the tools to be in control of your own feelings, emotions, thoughts, and behaviors as you navigate through your golden years. As a new year’s resolution, use some of the techniques listed here to take charge and make positive and inspiring changes in your life. You can also check out the guide below for more self-therapy daily practices.
