5 Unique Ways for Seniors to Find Holistic Health & Wellness

When people talk about being healthy, they’re usually talking about being free of physical symptoms of illness.
But if you’re talking about holistic health care and wellness, it’s about a lot more than just being physically active. It’s also about living a well-rounded lifestyle – the perfect combination of physical, mental and spiritual well-being.
When our loved ones transition into their senior years, they have legitimate concern for how they will change physically, psychologically, socially, and how their environment and behaviour will evolve. While some seniors may adjust to these changes easily, others may develop emotional and/or psychological problems.
Thankfully, there are various holistic approaches for seniors to find happiness and boost their overall health and well-being in the process.

Holistic Approaches for Overall Well-Being of Seniors: 5 Ways

Holistic care is an approach to overall health and healing, including a person’s physical and mental wellness. Many senior health care and wellness programs take a holistic approach to their patients, particularly those experiencing mental trauma and self-esteem issues.
Here are five ways seniors can age gracefully and realize their potential in the process.

1. Pet Ownership

Any pet owner will tell you about the bond and companionship they share with their animals. Having a pet creates feelings of love and security, since they love unconditionally and provide their owners with a sense of emotional well-being. Research shows that people with pets are often happier and healthier than those without.
Aside from mood elevation and heightened self-esteem, pet owners tend to be more physically fit and less lonely. Pet ownership also has excellent health benefits, such as low cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and improved cardiac health. Pet ownership also leads to higher levels of oxytocin (the love hormone) which helps decrease stress and blood pressure. These health benefits can have a profound effect on the quality of life of seniors.

2. Massage

Massage has many health and stress benefits, which can be particularly helpful for seniors. Deep tissue massage has been shown to boost immune system response by increasing white blood cell counts among many older people. However, it may not be safe for some seniors with sensitive muscles and serious pain issues. Even gentle massage can relax clenched muscles and bring high blood pressure under control. A therapeutic massage also reduces levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) and releases endorphins that can increase happiness and confidence. For seniors suffering from arthritis, carpal tunnel, or other chronic hand pain issues, a gentle hand massage can help improve hand, wrist, and finger mobility, and range of motion.

3. Healthy Relationship

The search for love and companionship is present in almost everyone, and it isn’t something that goes away with age. According to Harvard University, good connections can improve health and increase longevity. Engaging in healthy, joy-filled relationships in retirement can improve physical and mental well-being. Aside from a sense of security and companionship, healthy relationships can also make seniors feel loved and wanted. Strong social connection is a key factor in overall health, just like adequate sleep and a balanced diet. Being socially connected also helps lower stress levels, which significantly improves cardiac function and reduces morbidity in seniors. So, it’s never too late to find a companion to combat old age anxiety and loneliness. If you’re a senior seeking holistic health options, being in a romantic relationship can be a powerful way to improve your quality of life.

4. Family Time

Spending quality time with loved ones has a huge positive effect on overall health, especially for seniors. Being surrounded by children and grandchildren can make you emotionally secure and happy, and these psychological benefits translate into real health benefits. Having any form of social connection provides several health benefits (as discussed above), mostly centered around stress and depression, which are often related to isolation. Studies have shown that people in healthy relationships live on average 3.7 years longer than those who live alone. Frequent visits with family and loved ones make them feel valued by their children. This boosts their self-esteem and gives their life value.

5. Music Therapy

Music brings happiness and comfort. It also evokes memories. People of all ages can benefit from music therapy, which uses music to treat physical, cognitive, and emotional issues in patients. Many senior health care and wellness communities organize music therapy programs to help seniors deal with age-related problems like stress, anxiety, chronic pain and impaired memory.
Music, particularly slow and instrumental songs, has been found to help people deal with stress by improving cardiac health and reducing cortisol. It also improves cognitive ability in older adults, especially those who have suffered a stroke. In research conducted by Stanford University on the effects of music therapy on the elderly, it was found that rhythmic music stimulates blood flow to the brain and improves cognitive and speech abilities. By playing a song that a senior associates with a particular time and place, music therapists can trigger memories in patients with advanced dementia.
Remember, age is just a number when it comes to staying fit and happy. Take advantage of the above-mentioned tips to move towards a healthier, more fun-filled life.