As the weather grows colder, nature slows down—trees go dormant, days get shorter, and many animals will hunker down to hibernate. You may notice this shift in yourself, too. With less exposure to sunlight, your internal clock can be thrown off and leave you feeling tired and sluggish, which in turn can leave you less motivated to get out and do things. However, staying social is just as important in the winter months, if not even more so. 

The Importance of Staying Social

According to the Cleveland Clinic, loneliness is “one of the most recognized contributors to mental health issues”. It has been associated with elevated risks for depression, anxiety, and general stress, as well as cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer’s; frequent social contact is thought to reduce the risk of dementia, which is particularly noteworthy for older adults. As you age, the risk of developing these cognitive disorders is greatly heightened. Staying socially active may prevent some of these disorders, or at least alleviate some of their symptoms.

In addition to this, loneliness can impact physical health; studies have shown effects on blood pressure and cholesterol levels, which in turn can increase risks of strokes and heart attacks—which are most common in older adults. And while social isolation is a concern year-round, it usually impacts you most in the wintertime, with shorter daylight hours and unfavorable weather conditions exacerbating its negative effects. 

Elevated risks of seasonal illnesses, such as the flu, can also create difficulty in making plans—causing further social isolation. With icy weather and lower temperatures, fears of falling and hypothermia can also cause many older adults to avoid making plans to go out. It’s a vicious cycle which can be very challenging to overcome. That being said, having a social winter is still achievable! You just need to approach it in the right way.

General Tips for Winter 

After learning the benefits of socialization, it’s likely that you want to start getting out more. That’s fantastic! In order to properly reap the rewards, it’s important to understand the challenges that come along with both the winter conditions and with your age, as this season often affects older adults most.

Prepare for the Cold

While you may have gotten away with skimpy clothes in your teens, it’s best to avoid getting cold as an older adult. As an older adult, you are more likely to develop hypothermia, which can cause damage to the heart, kidneys, and brain—and if untreated, hypothermia can be fatal. If you are going out in cold weather, be sure to take the necessary precautions to keep warm.

To prevent hypothermia while outdoors, always dress in multiple layers and wear hats, mittens, and scarves. Keeping your body insulated and protected from both wind and moisture is very important! Avoiding caffeinated and alcoholic beverages can also help, as these can actually increase the rate of body heat loss. Instead of drinking these, consider bringing a warm drink like tea or hot cocoa with you in a thermos or other insulated bottle. That way, if you begin to feel cold, you will have a quick way to warm up. Alongside staying well hydrated, make sure that you are well fed before and while you are out. Much like an actual heater, your body needs fuel to generate heat, so providing it with good hearty foods can make a big difference. 

On top of this, be sure to plan ahead before going out. Try searching for cafes or community centers near where you are planning to go. Should the weather take a turn, it’s a good idea to have several places where you could go and warm up, or wait out a storm.

Even if you are indoors, staying warm is just as important. Be sure to stay well fed, as mentioned above, and ensure that your thermostat is set high enough—one JAMA Network article recommended setting it to 68°F or higher. Keeping windows and doors closed and minimizing drafts can also help to keep you warm without elevating heating costs.

Avoid Slips and Falls

One of the most common fears in older adults is a fear of falls—this may be something that you share. If that is the case, winter’s icy surfaces can be especially nerve-wracking. There are several things that you can do to lower your risks of falling.

First, plan ahead and don’t go out if the conditions are bad. After freezing rain or flash freezes, it is best to stay indoors. If you do go out when conditions are icy, be sure to let people know where you are going, and bring an alert system—like a phone or whistle—to call for help if needed. Wearing rubber-soled boots and shoes with a flat shape (i.e. no high heels), as well as using ice grips can help to increase traction further. However, take care to still avoid icy surfaces whenever possible—these devices are not foolproof! Removing ice grips right after going indoors is also important, as they can cause damage and result in slips on indoor flooring.

When walking, take smaller steps and keep your hands out of your pockets. Having your hands in your pockets may be warm, but having them out improves your balance and will let you catch yourself if you do end up slipping. This video from the Alberta Health Services explains how to “walk like a penguin” to lower the risk of falling. And of course, choose where you walk carefully. Avoid dark or wet areas, and try to walk on cleared pathways whenever possible. 

Take Measures to Prevent Illness

As the weather grows colder, seasonal illnesses like the flu become much more common. This is for a number of reasons; colder temperatures can actually make it easier for the viruses to survive. Winter’s dry air also plays a role in these increased contagion rates. As explained in this Mayo Clinic article, in humid air sickness particles can join with water particles and become bigger and heavier—this causes them to fall to the ground. Dry air does the opposite. Since there are less water particles to join with, viral particles are able to stay airborne for longer. And, since people spend more time indoors, you are more likely to come into contact with these particles than in the warmer months.

In order to lower the risks of catching these illnesses, you can do several things. First and foremost, get vaccinated! Vaccinations work by exposing your body to weakened or inactive parts of the virus, which then teaches your body how to fight it later on. For those aged 65 and older, your doctor may recommend a specific kind of vaccine which is better suited to older adults; for example, the CDC recommends that adults over 65 years get a higher-dose or adjuvanted flu vaccine to maximize benefits. It is also possible in some cases to have vaccinations covered by Medicare.

Along with getting vaccinated, wearing masks while out in public spaces can reduce your exposure to viruses. From cloth masks to professional grade N95 masks, there are many options out there, but anything is better than nothing! Try to find something that you are comfortable with wearing and stick with wearing it whenever you go to an indoor public space.

Ideas for Wintertime Activities

Now that you are all bundled up, have checked the weather, and are protected against sickness, you can finally get out and have fun! In fact, you may already have plans, such as holiday dinners with family, or events to go to with friends. In case you are looking for more inspiration, we have listed several ideas below. These are listed in order from highest to lowest effort, as we know that some days are more energy-filled than others. This ranking is just a guide, and you may find some of the “low effort” activities to be difficult—always make sure to check in with yourself and your abilities for the day.

Check Out Winter Festivals and Markets

Visiting a winter market or festival can be a great way to get into the holiday spirit. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Diwali, Kwanzaa, or simply like to treat your loved ones, there are many opportunities to pick up gifts for your special people. 

Festivals don’t have to be about gift-getting either. Many times, winter festivals will have performances—think parades, music, and ice sculpture shows—as well as competitions to participate in, should you be interested. Simply going to experience the sights and try the delicious warm treats is also an option! 

As winter festivals have a wide variety of activities, they can be great places to go with family and friends. No matter how old or young, there is something for everyone to enjoy. You can let your grandchildren get their energy out while catching up with your kids over some hot cocoa, or enjoy some beautiful ice sculptures with your neighbours and friends. Just make sure to dress warmly, and to not be afraid to move somewhere indoors if you start feeling chilly. 

Get Some Exercise (Both Indoors and Outdoors)

It is always important to stay physically active, and winter is no exception! As per the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control, adults aged 65 and older are recommended to get at least 150 minutes of moderately intense exercise a week. Exercising is not only good for you physically, but can also be great for socializing. By bringing a friend with you or joining a group, you’ll be able to get the best of both worlds.

Though the roads may be a bit treacherous, there are still many ways to exercise safely outdoors. For those of you with high mobility and energy, snowshoeing is a great way to get moving. It is a lot more tiring than regular walking, so be sure to keep things short and slow to start; you can rent snowshoes for the first few times, and then consider buying your own pair if you feel that it’s a sustainable activity for you. Other high energy options include skating and skiing. If you have lower energy or have mobility issues, simply taking a walk outside is still highly beneficial. Just be sure to choose your routes carefully to avoid icy or uncleared roads. For each of these, consider joining a group—walking groups are especially popular for older adults—or organize your own! You could organize a trip out to a local cafe, so that you have a warm destination to warm up in before heading back home.

If the weather is particularly bad, going to an indoor exercise class for something like yoga, tai chi, or aquatic fitness can help to keep you social and fit. If you have a walking group who you usually walk with, you could also try walking through a local mall. That way, you will be warm and still get to exercise and chat!

When exercising in the winter, it is also important to note that, while you may feel warm while you’re moving, you can cool off very quickly. Always dress warmly, and wear sweat-wicking layers to minimize heat loss.

Attend Indoor Events

If you just don’t feel like staying out in the cold, consider checking out some local indoor events. Many community centers will offer older adult-specific crafting events for holiday decorations, which provide fantastic opportunities to both engage your mind and meet new people. According to numerous studies, including an analysis by Sage Journals, crafting has been shown to enrich older adult life and improve mental health. And, by creating something with others, you can not only make beautiful decorations, but also create memories and friendships that will last for the rest of your life.

The festive season also often comes with a wide range of concerts, from christmas choirs to holiday rock. If you or your loved ones are music enthusiasts, consider buying some tickets to see a show! If you enjoy singing, you could also participate in events like Scratch Messiah, where the audience becomes the choir—no rehearsals, just the pure joy of singing with others.

If you’re someone who likes to stick with what they know best, joining a club centered around one of your existing hobbies can connect you with likeminded people. Try joining a knit-and-natter club to swap patterns and stories, or attend a book club meeting to discuss your most recent reads. With the internet, it has never been easier to connect with others; using sites like Facebook and Meetup, you’ll be able to search for exactly what you’re looking for.

Go Virtual

On some days it may simply be too difficult to go outside, whether that be due to road conditions, frigid temperatures, or low energy. In these cases, virtual events can connect you to others from the comfort of your own home. Some examples include virtual book clubs, talks or presentations, exercise classes, and much more. While using tech can be daunting, with the right help—for example, asking your family to help get you started—and lots of practice, you’ll be able to attend virtual events in no time.

Connecting with family and friends over long distances is also now easier than ever. If you have friends living abroad, or live in a remote area away from your loved ones, try setting up weekly or biweekly calls—with video, or just audio—to catch up on their lives. This can also be a great way to practice using technology!

Final Remarks

In this article, we have mentioned several strategies in both staying healthy through the winter, and keeping socially active. However, if you are struggling with intense feelings of loneliness, fatigue, and sadness, you may be experiencing depression, and the strategies listed above are not replacements for professional help. Talking to someone in your family, friend group, or reaching out to a doctor or therapist can help. Remember—even though it may be hard to see it, there is hope. Help is available. You don’t need to suffer alone.

The most wonderful time of the year is often the most stressful, especially for caregivers who end up having a lot more on their plate than usual. 

Caregivers are busy at the best of times, but holidays introduce the pressure of attending social events, children’s concerts, finding time to buy gifts, and meal planning for all those decadent holiday meals. This often results in caregivers facing extreme exhaustion and burnout over the holidays, which is the exact opposite of a peaceful season! 

You deserve to enjoy the holiday season along with everybody else, and the good news is that that is completely possible! With a little bit of planning and a commitment to yourself, you can navigate the holidays as a caregiver with less stress and more joy! Read on to find out how. 

Schedule, Schedule, Schedule

Don’t like keeping a schedule? Now you do! Schedules are a great way to keep stress at bay. When you write your appointments down it can help you carve out time for the activities you really want to know, and better manage your time overall. When you’re saying yes to a lot of events without keeping a schedule it can be easy to get overwhelmed fast, as things will quickly pile up and you might even find yourself in the unpleasant situation of committing to multiple events at the same time! Scheduling helps you determine what you actually want to prioritize, and gives you a good out for declining an invitation to something you’re not actually interested in! “I’m so sorry, but my schedule is already full that day.” 

While a schedule is great for keeping track of work and social commitments, it’s also useful for scheduled time that is specifically dedicated to you. This might look like booking a massage for yourself, or even just putting aside time for you to cook yourself a nice dinner. Sometimes people can neglect giving themselves the time they need unless it is explicitly put aside in their schedule, so do yourself a favor and put aside the time you need to feel your best. 

Schedules can be kept in a physical calendar, or, as is most popular, via an app on your phone. You can even sync your calendar with your kids and your partner, so that everyone is up to date with various family commitments and you don’t need to worry about missing your kid’s choir recital. You can also set up alerts on your electronic devices that will remind you of important events. We need all the help we can get, sometimes!

Another form of scheduling that many people find helpful is to write to-do lists each day, or for tasks you need or want to complete during a specific time period. Having a to-do list can help you focus on what is important to get done immediately, instead of getting stressed about something that doesn’t need attention for another few weeks. A helpful tip is to also write down the estimated timing of each task. This can be very useful for anyone who gets easily overwhelmed by tasks and tends to procrastinate. If you write down that answering that one email you’ve been avoiding will only take five minutes then it might be easier to tackle it! Writing down timings can also help you plan out your day and hopefully add in the activities that you’re more interested in doing, like grabbing coffee with a friend, or making time for that workout class. 

Northwestern Medicine even outlines some of the benefits of scheduling, including better sleep, less stress and healthier eating habits! Convinced yet?

Don’t Be Afraid to Say No

The holidays can be a wonderful time to catch up with old friends and get together with family, but those very same commitments can also bring up difficult memories and be quite exhausting! While it can sometimes feel challenging to turn down an invitation, it’s important to remember that you always have the power to say no, and you should use it if it’s the best thing for your mental health. Just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should. It’s always nice to cover a shift or go to a party if you have the capacity to, but if you know that it’s really important to take that time alone to recharge then that is the choice you should make. If you give too much of yourself then you’re much more likely to burn out, so putting up boundaries and saying no more often actually helps you to be able to have more time to give in the long run. 

When saying no try to practice saying no without a reason. You shouldn’t ever have to have an explanation for something you don’t want to do. Simply saying “I’m sorry I can’t make it” should be reason enough. If you find someone is consistently pushing back on your no’s then you might want to consider whether you need to put up firmer boundaries with that relationship. 

Figure Out What’s Important

During the holidays it can be easy to fall victim to the idea of what our holiday “should” look like. You might think that you need to decorate a certain way, or host a dozen perfect holiday parties. Maybe you’re going to homemake gifts, or bake dozens of cookies or get family photos in the snow or visit that really cool winter wonderland in the park or, or, or…very quickly, a time of year that’s supposed to be fun becomes overstimulating, expensive, and filled with loud family arguments. So, what’s really important to you here? Do you actually want to host those parties, and do you want to stand in the cold for hours looking at ice sculptures? It’s totally fine if you do, but if those thoughts aren’t exactly filling you with joy then maybe it’s OK to leave them behind this winter. 

Have a check-in with yourself and your family about what priorities you really have this year. You might be surprised to find out that some of the traditions and events are stressful for others as well, and that perhaps they can be replaced with other more relaxing activities instead. The holiday season doesn’t need to look any certain way. You should do it exactly the way you want to, and if that’s eating chocolate in your pajamas that is absolutely acceptable. 

If you find yourself in the position where your loved ones want to continue a tradition that is very stressful for you, then that’s a great opportunity to have a discussion about how it can continue without being such a burden to you. Do you throw a beloved holiday bash that has gotten to be too much? Maybe a different friend can host but you might be willing to get together for a planning meeting to help pass the torch? Or perhaps you want to continue but you just need extra support because previously all the work has fallen on you? If everyone wants an event to continue then there needs to be a commitment to help out. Delegate tasks to your loved ones and put up a firm boundary that can only go ahead if everyone fulfills their assignment. That way you can see the traditions you enjoy, but with less stress involved. Plus it’s always good for your family to see how much work you put into something. Maybe after finding out how much work goes into it that tradition won’t be so important anymore!

Stick to Healthy Habits

It can be tricky to stay on track with your health goals during the holidays. With extra parties and old friends in town it can be easy to stay out late or overindulge on sweets and alcohol. However, getting out of your routine can often make you feel sluggish, sad and stressed. 

Maintaining a healthy routine doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a night out with friends, but it does mean there are some limits you should put in place to make sure you can enjoy the holidays and stay healthy while doing it! 

• Prioritize sleep – give yourself a curfew and stick to it. Give yourself a curfew and stick to it. To make this easier, try to show up earlier for events so you’re not tempted to stay later, and be sure to not stay out late if you have to work early the next morning. If you do find yourself feeling a little extra tired, a half hour nap can be helpful if needed. 
• Give yourself a drink limit – you can still enjoy a cocktail here and there, but try to limit yourself to one or two drinks per event. If you still want a drink in your hand there are now more alcohol free cocktails, beers and wines than ever! And most of them look just like the real thing, so you don’t need to be worried about judgment from others (although honestly if anyone is judging you for making healthy choices then that is totally not cool).
• Make healthy food choices outside of events. It’s totally normal to find yourself faced with lots of sweets and rich food during the holidays and you should enjoy it! But, be sure to focus on healthy, protein and nutrient dense food outside of parties and festive dinners out with friends. Have a good breakfast and pack a salad with protein for lunch and eb sure to drink lots and lots of water. Plus, really try to listen to your body. It can be easy to mindlessly reach for that cookie, but if you aren’t in the mood then don’t go for it! 

Don’t be too hard on yourself if you struggle with good habits during this time because it’s hard! But doing your best to care for yourself will help keep your stress levels and mental health in check during this complicated time of year. 

Budget

One of the major reasons that people end up with extra stress during the holidays is because of poor spending habits. It’s easy to get caught up in the holiday spirit and splurge on gifts that are too expensive, or agree to go to that super pricey new cocktail bar, but while doing those things might feel good in the moment, they’ll often leave you with feelings of guilt and anxiety. 

Investopedia offers some good tips to avoid overspending during the holidays. They include focusing on smaller personalized gifts, offering quality time instead of gifts, and focusing on what you can afford, instead of trying to match what someone else is able to. If someone truly cares about you they’ll care much more about the thought behind a gift than they will the price of it. 

Limit Alcohol Use

Obviously limiting your alcohol consumption is helpful in terms of helping you stay on schedule and on budget, but reducing or completely stopping alcohol consumption over the holidays can also help you remain balanced and greatly reduce stress. 

While many people tend to reach for a drink to relax, the reality is that alcohol might be making your stress worse. The Mental Health Foundation tells us that while at first alcohol might make us feel more comfortable, after that initial feeling wears off it’s much easier for negative thoughts, depression and anxiety to take over, which can lead to agitation, anger and poor decision making. 

Alcohol can also seriously impact your sleep. Even if it feels like it helps you get to sleep faster, it’s actually resulting in a much poorer quality of sleep, which is not exactly what you want at such a busy time of year!

It can be difficult to stop drinking, but there are lots of supports out there. You can always talk to your doctor or a support group, or perhaps you might even encourage your friends to commit to a month without drinking. You might be surprised at just how much it affects your mood. 

Practice Mindfulness

Mindfulness and meditation can be great tools to use during periods of stress. There’s evidence that spending even as little as one or two minutes a day focusing on your breathing can make a difference to your mental health, so why not give it a go? There are several apps that can help you start out, such as Calm and Headspace.

Ultimately, the best ways to reduce your stress as a caregiver this holiday season is by doing what feels best for you. Some of the items in this article might be very helpful, while others might cause more stress for you as an individual, so be sure to listen to yourself and only continue with what feels right. Everyone is different, so while relaxing in a bath might sound great to you, for someone else the best stress reliever is lifting weights at the gym. Focus on what feels right to you, and here’s to a stress-free holiday season!

You’ve likely heard the saying that “dog is man’s best friend,” but have you heard the saying “animals are extremely important for the mental health of seniors?” Well, OK, that’s because that’s not a real saying, but it probably should be!

While many of us have enjoyed the pleasure of having a pet, more and more evidence is showing how valuable pets can be for the emotional wellbeing of seniors. While adopting an animal might not have been high on your list of things you could do to help your mental health, after reading this article it just might be!

Of course, not every senior is in a position to be able to take care of a pet, so adoption might not be an option. But, even if a fulltime pet isn’t in the cards, there are several ways that seniors can still interact with animals on a regular basis to still get those feel-good benefits, such as volunteering at an animal shelter. And although dogs get all the glory, humans can connect with many different animals. So don’t shy away from exploring pet ownership because of allergies or mobility issues. Maybe a leopard gecko is just what you need!

Companionship

One of the most common struggles seniors face is loneliness. In fact, the World Health Organization found that in some countries a staggering 1 in three seniors reported feeling lonely. And while loneliness is obviously an upsetting feeling, it’s also a dangerous one. The risk factors associated with loneliness are up there with the risks that can accompany smoking and obesity. Armed with that knowledge, it’s important to address loneliness as quickly as possible. 

Having a pet can dramatically reduce feelings of loneliness in many ways. For one, it always feels good to have someone to come home to. Knowing that you’re not going to be alone at the end of the day can help to lower stress and give you something to look forward to. Who doesn’t like cuddling up with their pet and a good book at the end of a long day?

Pets that are well cared for are generally quite affectionate and protective over their owners, and enjoy staying close to them. Sometimes simply having a presence nearby when you’re completing daily tasks can be comforting. Plus, having an animal around gives you someone to talk to! It might sound silly, but interacting with your pet can give you the same boost as spending time with a good friend. 

Can Increase Interactions With Others

If you choose a pet that requires regular walks, such as a dog, then it’s very likely that you are going to start having a lot more conversations with strangers than you did previously! Dogs are natural people magnets, and great conversation starters! Be prepared to get asked questions about your pet out on walks and at the dog park. You might even meet fellow dog owners who you become good friends with, just because your dogs are fond of each other. 

While it might not seem like interactions with strangers are important, The New York Times tells us otherwise. While of course the deep relationships we have with dear friends and family are vital to our wellbeing, it turns out that brief interactions with strangers, such as people you meet while out dog walking, your local barista, or bus driver are all very important interactions that contribute to our wellbeing. These conversations can help give us a feeling of community, which, as stated in the NYT, tells us is a basic human need. While of course we can do this without pets, the presence of a dog gives strangers a natural way into conversation, which greatly increases the chance of having more of these positive interactions. 

Gets You Moving

Having a pet gets you moving, which as we all know is of vital importance to our mental and physical health. Dogs need to be walked at least once a day, rain or shine, and even other animals, like cats or ferrets, appreciate being taken outside to explore. 

Often, especially when someone is struggling with a condition like depression or anxiety, it can be hard to get outside and exercise, even when we know it would make us feel better. However, when an animal is depending on you for its health and happiness it can sometimes be the jolt you require to put their needs first. Not only is this good in terms of making sure you get enough exercise and time outside (another crucial ingredient required for good health), but it can also be useful to focus on something outside of ourselves so we don’t get so caught up in our own thoughts. 

Provides Purpose

While retirement can be a wonderful time to relax after so many years working hard at a job, for some seniors the lack of purpose and routine can be disorienting. Although participating in hobbies can be a great way to provide that feeling of purpose, another way, or even in addition to hobbies, can be to have a pet to take care of. Pets need to be fed, exercised and entertained. This might mean setting up an obstacle course for your cat, or giving your budgie a bath. Maybe you work on teaching your dog some tricks, or try to get your rabbit to find the treats you’ve hidden all over your living room. No matter the animal, they deserve to be well-cared for, and that need can make you feel useful and invigorated. Why not be the best pet owner you can be? The time you spend on it will not only make the life of the animal better, but will increase enjoyment in your own life as well. 

Overall Health

While it’s likely a combination of all of the points on this list, the stats are in: animals are good for your health. Pets have been shown to lower stress levels, lower blood pressure and cortisol, release dopamine, and give a general boost to your mood. Based on that information alone, it seems like getting a pet is a very good idea. 

In fact, the American Heart Association even published an article that suggested owning a pet might lower the chance of developing a cardiovascular disease – something that is currently the leading cause of death in the United States. That’s pretty incredibly work for a little creature that hangs out in your house chasing pieces of string!

Routine

Routine is a powerful thing. While we might fantasize about having endless stretches of time in front of us where we’re not required to do anything, the reality is that humans like structure. We like knowing what’s coming. It feels safe and comfortable, and can help us build healthy habits, such as good sleeping patterns. While some humans might not be very good at keeping routines, pets absolutely live by them. If you start feeding your dog at 12 o’clock, then your dog will be ready for food at 12 o’clock every single day, and they won’t let you forget it! Structure is just as important for animals as it is for humans, so you can expect your pet to want to wake up, pee, and eat at the same time each day. While you might not be motivated to create this routine on your own, having a pet can naturally make you fall into this way of life, which in turn can help guide you into a healthier way of life. Even though you might not feel like getting up to go to the park at 7 am when it’s raining outside, you’ll be shocked at how good you feel once you do it. It’s routine, after all. 

Following the schedule of your pet can also help you realize what is most important to you in your daily life. Maybe that’s stopping to enjoy a coffee, or doing the crossword. It might be something small, but all of these habits can add up to build a highly enjoyable life. 

Faster Recovery

Unfortunately, seniors are at a higher risk of injury due to falls and other accidents, and recovery when you’re older is usually much slower than it was when you were young. The pain of an injury can be hard enough on its own, but when recovery is slow it can almost make it seem unbearable. 

But, in a poll of older adults with pets, 70% said their pets helped them with their physical or emotional symptoms, and 46% said their pets helped them take their mind off their pain. While this might come from an animal who seems particularly empathetic, such as a cat who comes to lie on your lap, or a dog that doesn’t leave your side when you’re struggling, this could also come by the simple enjoyment of having a pet and the distraction it provides. 

In fact, an entire industry has sprung up around the healthy power of pets. Animal therapy has become very popular for people of all ages, and it’s a great option for those who aren’t able to commit to having a fulltime pet. Pet therapy has handlers connect patients with suitable animals, such as dogs, horses, cows and sometimes even animals like hamsters and reptiles. Being in the calm presence of an animal can be very helpful to seniors who are struggling with something like Parkinson’s disease, who might startle animals who aren’t used to the constant movement. 

Some seniors with certain medical conditions might even qualify for an animal who has been specifically trained to support them with particular medical conditions, such as seizures, vision loss, post traumatic stress disorder, and a variety of other mental and physical health conditions. Not only can these animals provide emotional support, but may also be the difference in a life or death situation. 

Security

Sometimes we just need to feel the presence of someone else in our home to feel safe. Seniors can often feel quite vulnerable in their home, especially if they were used to living with a large family and now suddenly find themselves all alone. A pet can help put someone at ease simply by being around. And, can sometimes help you feel more confident if you have vision or mobility limitations by providing a little bit of support as you move about your residence. Of course, unless you have a pet who is trained to support you with specific tasks you shouldn’t rely on them as a medical support animal, but some pets are so intuitive that they might still help you feel an extra boost of confidence as you navigate through your home and society. 

Having an animal like a dog might also help you feel more comfortable sleeping at night, or even going around your neighborhood for a walk. Even a small dog can be a great comfort, and their bark would likely be enough to draw attention to you if you were in need. 

Pets Bring You Into the Now

If you’ve read previous articles, then you know how much we love mediation and mindfulness! Mindfulness is universally recognized as a helpful practice for a healthy life and mind, but it’s much easier said than done! All too often people dwell on the past or get fixated on the future, not realizing all the good that’s right in front of them at this very moment. This is where a pet comes in. 

Animals, while very intelligent, don’t have the same kind of brains as us, so they aren’t thinking about a conversation they had five years ago, or how to get a promotion at work. Instead they’re savoring the delicious piece of chicken they were just given, enjoying the warmth of a sunbeam, or investigating the thrilling allure of an empty cardboard box. Animals are so present and fully engaged in the moment, it’s hard not to be right there with them. Mindfulness is so much easier with a pet, because it’s so effortless for them, and that can spill over to you. A few hours spent playing with a dog or cuddling a cat and you’ll wonder where the time went because you were enjoying it so fully. This is important at every age, but during your golden years you want to enjoy every single moment you have. 

While adopting a pet can be a wonderful addition to your life, it’s always important to take the time to figure out if it is the right choice for you. Having a pet is a serious commitment, and, even if you love animals, sometimes it isn’t a good fit depending on your specific circumstances. Don’t forget, there are so many ways to get the mental health benefits of animals without taking on the responsibility of pet ownership. Look into volunteering, pet therapy, pet sitting or fostering as great options. And ask your friends! It’s likely at least one of your friends would be happy to have you come over to watch their pet for a few hours when you need it. 

However you choose to interact with animals, here’s to a better headspace, and no space at all on your phone, because it’s probably filled up with animal photos now…