How to Change Your Mindset to Positive When the Move Feels Hard
Learning how to change your mindset to positive can reduce stress, which is associated with serious health conditions. You can remain positive while moving to assisted living by socializing, exercising, and prioritizing self-care.
According to a study by Tseng and Poppenk, published in Nature Communications, people usually have 6,000 thoughts a day. However, an onslaught of negative thoughts can cause stress, triggering inflammation. Stress and inflammation are associated with chronic health conditions like cardiovascular disease.
Moving to assisted living doesn't have to feel stressful. Instead, learn how to change a negative mindset to a positive one. Exercising and socializing could help.
Why is positivity in aging seniors important, and how is a mindset shift for older adults in Asheboro, NC, possible? Read on to find out!
Why Is Positivity in Aging Seniors Important?
According to the National Council on Aging, the number of adults aged 50 and older with a mental health disorder could double by 2030. However, two-thirds of seniors with mental health problems don't receive treatment.
Seniors face an increased risk for mental health problems due to:
- The stress of caregiving
- Chronic illness or disability
- The loss of a loved one
- Social isolation and loneliness
- Certain medications
- Changes brought on by retirement (including moving)
The most common mental health disorders among seniors are anxiety and depression. These conditions can cause debilitating symptoms that may affect your quality of life.
Stress may increase your risk of depression and anxiety. Staying positive could help reduce stress, potentially protecting your mental health.
Maintaining a positive outlook on life could help you make new friends. Otherwise, social isolation and loneliness may increase your risk of:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- A weakened immune system
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Obesity
- Cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease
Maintaining friendships can enhance your sense of belonging. This could help reduce your risk of health issues.
How to Change Your Mindset to Positive
Changing your mindset to a positive one could help improve your mental, physical, and emotional health. Here are a few tips that may support a mindset shift for older adults.
Identify Negative Thought Patterns
Try to identify your negative thoughts.Examples of negative self-talk include:
- Polarizing (seeing situations as good or bad)
- Perfectionism (holding yourself to impossible standards)
- Personalizing (blaming yourself when bad things happen)
- Filtering (magnifying the bad and ignoring the good)
- Blaming (assigning responsibility to someone else)
- Catastrophizing (anticipating the worst-case scenario)
If you encounter these negative thoughts, try to take a step back from the situation. Reframe the situation by focusing on the positives instead.
Prioritize Self-Care
Adding self-care habits to your routine may reduce stress and inflammation. Try:
- Journaling
- Meditation
- Spending time in nature
- Biofeedback
- Deep breathing exercises
- Tai chi
These activities may help you find clarity. They can also help you navigate challenging situations and feelings, which may strengthen your emotional resilience.
Seek Emotional Support
Consider joining a support group. A support group may help:
- Introduce you to healthy coping techniques
- Validate your feelings
- Reduce your risk of social isolation and loneliness
- Improve your self-esteem
- Improve your mood and mental health
Remember, social isolation and loneliness may compromise your health. Try fostering friendships within your senior living community. Your friends can offer emotional support and advice as you navigate new situations.
Exercise
Try adding two weight-lifting sessions and 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity to your weekly routine. Exercising can stimulate endorphin production, which may relieve stress and boost your mood.
You can find exercise classes through your senior living community's fitness program, such as:
- Weight lifting
- Stretching
- Yoga
- Tai chi
- Pilates
- Aerobics classes
- Resistance band training
Ask friends to join you for a morning walk. Walking with other seniors may help:
- Increase accountability (leading to regular workouts)
- Ensure proper form
- Encourage you to maintain a steady pace
- Increase socializing and a sense of belonging
- Ensure safety
- Improve your mood
Engage in Hobbies
Explore your senior living community's events and activities calendar to discover new passions, such as:
- Painting or drawing
- Sculpting
- Birdwatching
- Scrapbooking
- Movie or book club
- Baking or cooking
- Chess or checkers
- Board games
- Video games
- Dance classes
Hobbies can boost your mood and encourage physical activities. They can also relieve stress.
Tips for Moving to Assisted Living
The emotional transition to senior living can feel challenging for some seniors. To adjust to your new surroundings, try:
- Establishing a routine
- Personalizing your living space
- Inviting friends or family over
- Exploring the events and activities calendar
Reach out to the staff members at TerraBella Asheboro. We can offer adjustment support to help you feel happy and comfortable in a new setting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Connection Between Mindset and Longevity?
According to the National Institute on Aging, optimism is linked to a longer lifespan and better emotional health. Having fewer negative emotions may reduce stress and inflammation.
Inflammation is associated with chronic health conditions, while stress may encourage unhealthy lifestyle choices. Staying optimistic may reduce your risk of chronic health conditions.
What Are the Characteristics of a Positive Mindset?
The six characteristics of a positive mindset are:
- Optimism - remaining open to making an effort
- Acceptance - acknowledging that the outcome won't always align with what you want
- Resilience - the ability to bounce back from adversity instead of giving up
- Gratitude - recognizing the good in your life
- Consciousness - dedicating your mind to awareness
- Integrity - being honorable and righteous
Maintaining a positive mindset will help you recognize the bright side of dark or challenging situations. This resilience may improve your outlook on life, which could extend your longevity.
Discover Adjustment Support in Asheboro
Learning how to change your mindset to positive may help reduce stress and inflammation, which could protect your health. You can find more resources through your Asheboro senior living community.
TerraBella Asheboro was named a Best Assisted Living Community by the U.S. News & World Report for 2022-2023. TerraBella Asheboro's parent company, Discovery Senior Living, was also ranked number one in customer satisfaction among assisted living and memory care communities in the J.D. Power 2025 Senior Living Satisfaction Study.
Discover our exclusive senior lifestyle programs, including Sensations Dining's chef-prepared meals, Celebrations Activities & Events like bingo, and on-site wellness classes like tai chi. Contact us now to schedule your tour.