Tips for Seniors on How to Avoid the Wintertime Blues

Everyone in the New York City area comes to learn; the holidays are a beautiful time with cheer, Christmas lights, the Rockefeller Christmas Tree, and happiness. Unfortunately, the holidays must always end, and depression and loneliness can easily kick in for seniors.

Elderly individuals can become especially lonely as their out-of-town family returns to their normal daily routines. We at Alvita Care want to work with your loved ones to overcome the wintertime blues and the side effects one may have as the holiday ends and the winter months continue on.

Some major lifestyle changes can occur as the holidays wind down and we resume our normal routines. Elderly people can experience a loss of sleep, poor eating habits, a lack of exercise, loneliness, anxiety, and even buyer’s remorse as hefty credit card bills come in from our holiday shopping. We want to lessen the burden associated with all these symptoms, so we have come up with some tips and tricks to help your loved one overcome the holiday blues.

It is important not to overbook yourself or stretch yourself too thin when making an appointment for the upcoming months. Being overbooked can lead to exhaustion, adding to a lack of sleep and an overall depressed state of being. It also can make elderly individuals grumpy and irritable. We want to ensure your loved one is as happy as possible. Please give us a call today to help with anything you may need regarding scheduling care for your loved one.

Once you decide to schedule a time to take on priorities, stick to those deadlines, and ensure your loved one is organized with everything they may need. Our home care caregivers at Alvita Care are trained and ready to help ensure all appointments and priorities run smoothly for your loved one. We want to ensure your time is used properly and that you are as organized as possible when it comes to your loved one’s daily routines.

Clear out any negativity relating to the prior holiday season. While the holidays are over, it may not remove feelings of sadness, anxiety, and loneliness from this past holiday season. You can, however, try to preoccupy your loved one with a hobby or fun activity. For suggestions on fun ideas, feel free to check out our article on ways to promote an active lifestyle for your loved one today.

Avoid overindulging in alcohol or unhealthy habits such as eating or drinking poorly. By maintaining a healthy lifestyle, you will not only feel better mentally but physically as well. Additionally, take some time to put things in perspective, encourage your loved one to participate in yoga, get a massage, or take a long walk. Self-reflection and relaxation can help kick the winter blues quickly and efficiently!

Go on a trip. If you are able to, take a trip someplace warm!

There is nothing like warm weather and tropical beaches to ease the depression and loneliness associated with the winter blues. If you have a caregiver and are unsure about scheduling a vacation around your care plan, contact us or call us at Alvita Care today at 212-273-0490.

Additionally, if it is not possible for your loved one to take a vacation out of the state, plan a staycation! There are plenty of fun activities, museums, aquariums, and other places that you can visit within our area. Go see a Broadway show or even plan a trip to the movies. Encouraging a change in one’s daily routine every once in a while can do wonders for an individual’s mental health after the holidays.

We encourage those still struggling to check out some of the many resources available at one’s local library or online. Many articles focus on mental, physical, and social health in the wintertime.

Overall, we at Alvita Care encourage you to take a deep breath and remember that life is a gift, and we are always here to help you along the way. We provide companions and home health aides in New York City, Long Island, Westchester County, and New Jersey. Call us at 212-273-0590, and have a happy and healthy new year!

Works Cited:

http://www.visitingangels.com/beating-the-holiday-blues-for-seniors-weekly-message_18