Train Your Brain to Be More Optimistic

Mindset is everything, especially in older age. Studies show that there are many health benefits to living an optimistic life, even in older adulthood. Optimistic seniors experience better health outcomes, happiness, and exceptional longevity.

While it’s natural for seniors to feel pessimistic as they age, it’s important that they take measures in order to preserve optimism in their daily lives. March is Optimism Month. It’s the perfect month for older adults to reflect on the patterns of their thoughts and develop daily habits that can enhance their perspective. Here are four ways seniors can train their brain to be more optimistic.

Jot It Down

Taking a few minutes at the end of the day to jot down every positive moment helps seniors keep optimism at the forefront of their mind. Whether it’s the surprise phone call from a friend or receiving positive news from the doctor, keeping track of these moments changes how seniors perceive their overall day. Journaling helps cement thoughts. It also creates a record so that older adults can look back and reflect when they’re having a difficult day.

Reframe Negative Thoughts and Emotions

No one can control every single thought that pops into their mind. However, you can control the second thought and how you respond to that initial thought. The next time a negative thought or emotion pops into your mind, take a moment to reflect upon it. Is that thought really true? Does that emotion define who you are? Recognize that thoughts and emotions are temporary. Reframe that negative thought or emotion by challenging it and turning it into something more optimistic.

Practice Mindfulness

Simply put, mindfulness is the art of staying fully present in the current moment. Practicing mindfulness helps older adults stay focused on what’s happening now, instead of ruminating on what happened yesterday or what might happen in the future. This allows seniors to develop a mindset of positivity, which, over time, cultivates more optimism.

Create a Optimistic Mantra

Whether we’re aware of it or not, we are constantly talking to ourselves in our minds. Seniors who live alone or don’t have many social opportunities have more time to dwell on their own thoughts. It can be easy for an older adult to go down a rabbit hole of negative thinking. However, by creating an optimistic mantra, older adults can talk back to the negative thought patterns that have formed over the years. Your mantra might be an encouraging quote, religious affirmation, or something simple such as “I will be kind to myself,” or “I have the power to change my story.”

If you’re an older adult who’s struggling to manage everyday tasks and it’s causing you to spiral into negative thoughts, Visiting Angels Fort Worth is here to help. We provide personalized care for seniors that makes aging in place possible. Our compassionate caregivers are prepared to assist elderly adults in Fort Worth, Aledo, Annetta, Benbrook, Lakeside, River Oaks, Westworth Village, White Settlement, Willow Park, and nearby towns with their unique needs and age-related challenges. Many of our clients experience peace of mind knowing a friendly face is coming to assist with personal care and common household tasks. Let us help you reframe any negative thoughts you may have about growing older by showing you that you don’t need to do it alone. To learn more, please contact us today by calling 817-877-1616.