Shaking The Blues

Shaking The Blues

Everybody hopes that the older they get, the happier and more content they will become.

After all, you’ve made it past adolescent hormones, the instability of your 20’s, the mid-life crisis and menopause. Often, older people seem more depressed than anyone.

Here are some reasons why:

• Psychological stresses. Like living alone, giving up a job, losing a loved one or worrying about money can cause depression.

• Lack of exercise. The more a person rests, the worse they feel, and the less energy they have.

• Nutrition. Eating properly is more difficult when one is alone, and if a person has digestive troubles or little money for food, he can easily fall into poor eating habits.

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  Alcohol abuse. Since older people are more sensitive to drugs, alcohol can be a problem. It can also foster poor nutritional habits.

• Hidden disease. Illness like diabetes or thyroid disorders, anemia, arthritis, ulcers or cardiovascular disease can make a person feel bad without specific symptoms.

• Side affects of medicine. A normal dose of medicine for a younger adult might actually be toxic for an older person. Drug reactions can also most make you feel bad.

  Old age doesn’t have to mean that you feel bad, be unhappy or lose your mental sharpness. Take these steps to avoid depression, and you’ll be sharper, happier and young at heart.

  • Give yourself permission to admit when you are down or worried. Covering up sorrows can make them worse.

  • Establish a buddy system. Regular contact with a friend will boost your spirits.

  • Practice an exercise routine. Swimming pool aerobics classes or mall-walking with friends can be easy and fun ways to get fit.

  • Eat a sensible diet. Seniors need fruit, fruit juices, vegetables, whole grains and milk products. People who live alone can keep powdered skim milk on hand and freeze one-person portions of meat, poultry and fish in aluminum foil for ease in cooking and clean up.

  • Enjoy companionship with your meals. Join a lunch club or other organized program. Share a meal with a neighbor. Listen to the radio or read a newspaper while you eat.

  • Practice relaxation. Learn to meditate or use music to help you relax.

  • Find a new challenge. A hobby, volunteer work or a class might provide you with a welcome change from your routine.

  • Seek out humor. Laughing exercise your cardiovascular system and makes you feel better.

  • Treat yourself to something special. Whether your treat is eating a favorite fruit or using the good china, be good to yourself.

    Keeping yourself happy and healthy has an added benefit, too. You may find that the loss of memory and concentration you were calling old was just a case of the blues.