India is expected to have 347 million older adults by 2050, and our average lifespan keeps increasing. Therefore, it becomes imperative that we learn to learn to age gracefully. And for that, we must accept and understand the physiological and psychological changes that can happen. Our mind and body must work in tandem to live a happy and complete life.
The challenge is that sometimes we ignore the changes, consciously or unconsciously. And that can create more problems, especially with mental health. Considering that our society still looks at mental health as a taboo topic, it is natural that, while aged people may get help to recover from their physical issues, mental health takes a back seat. That makes it more essential for us to talk about it.
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What are the changes that can impact you?
As we age, many changes occur, and almost all of them can affect us psychologically. Let’s see what they are:
Inability to adjust to role changes
It is difficult to let go of being in control. While the younger people may want to take over and do things to ease things for us, we may feel we are being sidelined. Such feelings can affect us psychologically, leading to constant unhappiness, only because we cannot adjust to the role change. From being a parent to a grandparent or an in-law, from making decisions independently to seeking opinions from others, etc., some adjustments take time and are very hard to accept.
Lifestyle changes
Ageing can bring about a change in our lifestyle. Some such changes are:
- Becoming less active
- Having limited social interactions
- Changing diet to suit health conditions
- Preferring comfort to style in our attires
- Ensuring the home environment meets our needs
All these changes are not easy to come by. We are loathe to let go of our favourite foods or heeled sandals. Such changes can impact our minds and make us believe we are losing out on something.
Family relationship problems
Our changed situations may lead to changed relationships. Or complicate the ones that existed earlier. Minor ego issues, lack of open discussion, and a general lack of self-worth can add to the relationship complexities. Simple things like kids moving out of the home and their inability to visit periodically or take care of us as we expect can lead to disillusionment. When such thoughts cloud our minds, it affects us psychologically beyond what we admit.
Grief
As we age, we start losing peers. Often, it might pose the ‘Am I next’ query in our minds, leading to anxiety. The grief is more so if you lose a spouse/partner of many years or lose someone younger in your family. Sometimes, we feel guilty for being alive at an old age when a young one with a life ahead is gone. The more you dwell on grief, the more complicated psychological issues it can create.
Low self-esteem
Unless one can fully continue doing what we were earlier, there is always the chance of low self-esteem creeping in. Even if one is financially stable, minor things may make you wonder if you are no longer wanted. Things that might not have bothered you a few years ago can bother you now. Unless one accepts and works on such feelings, it can also lead to piled-up psychological issues.
Five simple tips to steady your ship!
Be active: Ensure you remain active for as long as possible. Therefore, whether it’s the chores around the house, fetching the groceries, or going for a walk, make it a must.
Remain social: Accept and grace social invitations without being flustered or overdoing it. The more people you meet, the more you share and care, and the more you make your presence felt, the happier you will be.
Take up at least one hobby: Pick a hobby, and get going! Read, listen to music, sing, cook, play the guitar, or teach neighbourhood kids.
Learn one new skill periodically: Continue your learning journey. Pick a new skill, set a timeframe and finish as planned. Once done, start another. Celebrate and showcase your achievements to feel good.
Seek help: At times, we all feel low. Sometimes, we move out of it. But at times, it can become overwhelming. That’s when it’s time to seek help. There is no stigma associated with seeking help these days. Also, you can do so online even. But you must reach out and find your true self again.
Joining a senior community like Samarth can help you put all the above tips into practice. You will have access to personalised services that range from tours, healthcare, curated shopping, and help when needed.
