Strategies for building resilience in seniors

• “Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” – Albert Einstein
• “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” – C.S. Lewis
• “If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in a great way.”- – Martin Luther King, Jr.
• “Pay attention to the present, you can improve upon it.” – Paulo Coelho
• “One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.” – Henry Miller

2. Develop and maintain a strong social network: When you are feeling stressed, reaching out to empathetic people who understand what you are going through can be a great source of support. Maintaining strong relationships with family, friends, neighbours, and former colleagues is a great way to stay strong during difficult times. It is also important to build new relationships with compassionate and understanding people. 

You can also join a support group where you can meet other people who can relate to your situation. These groups are often based on a specific issue, such as depression or anxiety, but some groups are open to everyone who needs help. 

If you live in a retirement community, you can connect with others who are in a similar stage of life and may be facing similar challenges and opportunities. 

3. Manage stress and learn to respond to challenging situations: Building stress management habits is a good way to stay resilient. You have to understand that there are situations which are beyond your control and you need to be flexible and focus on things that are within your control. 

Also, you need to be proactive and decisive about your actions. In order to be resilient, you must take on challenges one step at a time. If you try to do too much all at once, it can become overwhelming and cause anxiety or depression.

4. Take care of your physical and mental well-being: It is important that you take care of your physical and mental health as you adjust to the new changes in your life. It may be tempting at times to neglect yourself, but do not give in. To combat stress and anxiety, you should maintain a healthy lifestyle by eating well, exercising, and pursuing interests that are both stimulating and relaxing. Take enough rest and do not exert yourself. 

Mindful journaling, yoga, and other spiritual practices such as prayer or meditation can also help you build connections and restore hope, allowing you to cope with traumatic experiences more easily. When you journal, meditate, or pray, think about the positive aspects of your life and recall the things you are grateful for. 

Also, establish healthy boundaries with people who are negative and do not show empathy for others. You may also want to re-evaluate the amount of time you spend watching news and reading about politics on social media. Spending too much time consuming negative stories can change your outlook, making it difficult for you to maintain an optimistic attitude.

Looking for retirement homes for NRIs in India?

Planning to buy retirement homes in India? Explore our retirement communities for NRIs in India. Our retirement homes are designed to bring together like-minded seniors and enjoy a wide range of social activities and events, such as game nights, fitness classes, and community outings. To know more about our retirement homes, call us at +918884555554 or book a virtual tour.