Encouragement for the Elderly: 12 Ideas to Boost Positivity
(This post may contain affiliate links for which I earn commissions.)
Keeping encouraged, especially when you are older is important because it’s easy to slip into a negative frame of mind. Negativity comes in many ‘colors:’ pain, loneliness, fear, declining health, or other issues that arise as we age. Whether it’s yourself or someone else, take note! Some of these can be turned around or minimized with a little action–a little positivity boost.
Challenge Yourself to Be Positive & Do Something
It is difficult to be positive sometimes when you feel down or depressed but challenge yourself (or a friend) to do something! I must do it too!
When discouragement sets in for me, I do one of several things, and sometimes multiple things to try to change my mind set. One of these things is keeping a list of things I enjoy or that are uplifting to me. It helps my mood, makes me feel a lot lighter about life, and is also a visual reminder when I need it.
12 Ways to Boost Positivity
Here are 12 ideas that are on my list . They encourage me and help me get out of a funk. Maybe they will help you too:
- Get in The Word – Psalms, Isaiah and Jerimiah are some of my faves and have some very encouraging passages such as:
Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
Isaiah 43:2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.
Jeremiah 1:19 KJV And they shall fight against thee; but they shall not prevail against thee; for I am with thee, saith the Lord, to deliver thee. - Praise God – Praising God in words or song can chase away the negativity quickly if you give it a chance! Here is just on chapter that’s full of praise, Psalm 150.
Psalm 150:6 Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. - Gratitude – This may seem obvious, but sometimes we don’t ‘see’ everything we should be grateful for. When you list at least one thing every day, you start to see all the things you can feel positive and encouraged about.
- Get Out in Nature – See God’s beauty and look for the little things. Often when I’m looking closely, a flower, butterfly, hummingbird, or even a deer, will pop into view and remind me God cares and is thinking of me. Use your other senses too. Feel the textures of various leaves and take a moment to smell the fresh air and aroma of the flowers or fresh mown grass.
- Movement – Keeping active, like going for daily walks or even dancing in a chair, goes a long way toward boosting your mood. Having a partner or a group to be active with will help your motivation.
- Music – Listen to your favorite spiritual music or other type of music and be uplifted!
- Self Care – Get your nails or hair done, go for a spa treatment, take a nap, light your favorite candle, or diffuse some oils for aromatherapy.
- Humor – Along with a few other things on this list, it’s important to get some humor every day. Find a joke a day you can share or watch funny animal videos. One of my favorite shows for a laugh is called Just For Laughs Gags. (It runs occasionally on TV, but you can also find it on YouTube.) Most of the gags are done to younger people by older people and I find it hilarious at times. (If you watch this one, make sure you’ve made a ‘pit stop’ first!) See an example video at the end of this list.
- Encouraging Sayings – Read encouraging sayings, quotes, or poems. Get a favorite one printed and hang it on the wall so you can see it often.
- Get Creative – Do some arts and crafts, buy a hobby kit, or break out the paints and lay them on a canvas. Don’t be afraid to try a new hobby too. Even if you are unsure whether or not you’d like to try it, keep an open mind. You might just LOVE it!
- Pen Pal – Find yourself a pen pal and use the old ‘snail mail’ method of connection. If you wonder where to find one, try joining our Facebook group. There are lots of seniors in the group who might be interested. Also, the group is loaded with tons of Activities workers who know of other seniors who want pen pals too. (<<<—Click on that link to go directly to the Pen Pal topic. You must be a member to get access.)
- Call or Visit a Friend – Talking to someone about how you feel will help you ‘unload’ those feelings and move on to happier topics. Whether making a call or meeting in person, be sure to bring up some old memory or a good joke the two of you can laugh about. Spending time with supportive people will bring more happiness into your life.
These are just a few of many things that can be done to boost your positivity and enjoyment in life. Sometimes I set a time limit. I’ll set a time for 10-15 minutes. After the time goes by, if I decide I want to keep doing it, I do. If I don’t want to do it anymore, I don’t, but at least I made the effort to try. If I need to, I try something else on the list. Not everything works every time.
Remember, even when you’re doing well, treat yourself with the same nurture and care as you would for others. You wouldn’t turn away a friend who had a struggle, so you should not neglect yourself either.
So take action with some self care! Get out your pen and some paper and work on your own list of things you enjoy or that are uplifting to you and keep them close by for when you (or a friend) need a bit of encouragement! 😉
Talk to you next time!
Sheri
P.S. Comment below with your favorite activity to keep you encouraged!
