As humans, we generally lose track of time in our lives as we can get so focused and invested in our day-to-day activities that time passes by in the blink of an eye. It becomes more evident especially later in life as we age, since time seems to pass by a lot quicker than we realize.
As we age, we may also start to notice that our minds are not as sharp as they were when we were younger. Some of us may start to forget important details or may experience difficulties concentrating. This is due to the changes that we experience in our brain and mental activity, which can ultimately affect our mental health if we leave them unaddressed.
If you find yourself curious about these symptoms and would like to explore the mental health changes that occur as we age, continue reading this article to better understand the impact of aging on our mental health and what you can do to reduce these impacts.
What is aging?
Aging is a natural process that happens to all individuals. While it can start as early as our 30s, many of us fail to realize that we might be experiencing symptoms of aging until we start to notice changes in our physical appearance. These minor changes in our physical appearance, otherwise known as premature aging, can cause our bodies and emotions to look and feel different.
However, as we reach our 40s and 50s, more distinctive changes such as fine lines and wrinkles start to show up for both men and women. In addition to shifts in physical appearance, individuals may start to suffer from mental health issues as they age. According to research, 20% of people above 55 years of age find themselves battling with mental health issues, which are caused by social changes and somatic changes.
What is the impact of aging on our mental health?
It can be tough to keep our minds sharp as we experience different life stages. Certain life experiences, such as coping with a serious illness or losing a loved one can play a pivotal role in our emotional well-being and can lead to serious mental illnesses such as anxiety and depression if they are left unaddressed. To understand how to better cope with our mental health as we age, here are some points about aging we could consider taking note of:
Aging increases social isolation and loneliness
Human beings are social creatures by nature, driving the need for connection with others. However, as we age, it is only natural that many of us feel more alone than when we were younger.
This is due to social cognition and emotion regulation, which refers to the ability to perceive, interpret, and act upon social information. As such, we start to experience loneliness and social isolation which are both inextricably linked to our physical and mental well-being.
If these concerns are left unaddressed, it can be the root cause of depression, anxiety, and cognitive decline. As such, it is important to continuously keep your mind active and alert, which can be done by interacting with your loved ones regularly or joining an interest group. Those aging could also seek mental health help from professionals who have undertaken an online master’s degree in counseling psychology to prevent more serious mental health conditions from taking place.
Aging can cause disruptions to our sleep pattern
As we age, it gets increasingly common to find difficulties in falling and staying asleep. This is due to how aging can affect our bodies, resulting in a decrease in our quality of sleep. According to statistics, symptoms of insomnia affect up to 48% of older adults.
Our body produces melatonin, a hormone that promotes and regulates our sleep. However, our bodies produce less melatonin as we age, affecting the quality of our sleep. As a result, it leaves us feeling groggy and sluggish during the daytime.
In order to ensure that we maintain a peaceful sleep pattern, keep cautious of your diet throughout the day and try to refrain from alcoholic beverages before bedtime.
Aging can surface our insecurities
Our bones shrink in size and density as we age, weakening our bodies and making them more vulnerable to fracture. This causes our joints and muscles to lose strength, endurance, and flexibility and can affect our coordination, stability, and balance.
As such, the deterioration of our regular body functions can challenge us emotionally and the way we view ourselves. If these concerns are not discussed or shared with a trusted one, it could increase our risk of developing mental illnesses such as anxiety and depression.
To stay in the pink of health, try to participate in light exercise daily without exerting your body and share your concerns with a circle of friends that you trust.
Start practicing mental health care today
There is no doubt that the process of aging can take a toll on our mental health and can lead to more severe illnesses if they are not treated with care and concern. As such, it is always important to practice mental health care at a young age as it can have a positive impact on us as we grow older and take on more challenging responsibilities that life throws at us. It is never too late to start embracing your mental health.