Health & Wellness St. Louis American The
APRIL 25 – MAY 1, 2024
(StatePoint) When it comes to overall wellness, focusing on mental health is critical, especially for older adults, according to experts. “As people age, they may experience stressors such as serious illness, losing close friends and family members, managing life on a fixed income, and coping with concerns about their own mortality. While seniors may show resilience to these dimensions of vitality, when they’re compounded, these losses and stressors can result in a myriad of behavioral health issues, including depression, anxiety, stress, and insomnia,” says Dr. Lindsay Evans-Mitchell, board certified adult psychiatrist and behavioral health medical director for Cigna Healthcare’s Medicare Advantage business. Dementia, which includes memory loss and language difficulties, is another issue often more pronounced with age, and in earlier stages, it can often mimic some symptoms of depression.
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Nine nifty ways to support mental wellness
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take advantage of it. You can learn about Cigna Healthcare’s MA plans at cignamedicareinformation. com. Hydrate: Drink plenty of water. Dehydration can negatively affect cognitive performance. Even mild dehydration can drain energy and cause fatigue.
Fortunately, Dr. EvansMitchell says making healthy choices can improve your quality of life, including your overall mental well-being, and potentially reduce your
risk of both depression and dementia: Practice good nutrition: There is evidence that plant-based diets are associated with better
health, including better emotional health. That’s another reason to add more green, leafy vegetables to your diet. Exercise: Regular
exercise can positively affect cognitive ability. If you have a Medicare Advantage (MA) plan offering access to a fitness program at no extra cost, then make sure to
Enjoy some sunshine: Sunlight provides needed vitamin D. Getting sunshine may increase your serotonin and help you stave off depression caused by Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD. Also, according to the Alzheimer’s Association, exposure to vitamin D can lower dementia risk by as much as 40%. Of course, make sure to take proper precautions, such as wearing a hat, using sunscreen, and wearing eye protection that shields against UV light. Get plenty of rest: Older adults need seven to nine hours of sleep
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