Having a Purpose on this Earth

Question: My spouse passed away last June, and I am getting depressed and bored in my home alone. All my neighbor friends have passed away or moved. What can I do to make me feel like I have a purpose on this earth?

The beginning of a new year is the best time to make positive changes in your life. Having a purpose to look forward to is important to keep your body and brain active. There are powerful and healthy chemicals that are created in your body when you do actions that you enjoy. Laughing and socializing with others is critical for good mental health and wellbeing.

Exercise

This is one of the most beneficial activities that you can do. Walking not only helps to strengthen your inner core muscles. It helps to maintain better balance and lessen your fall risk. Walking also increases the oxygen in your bloodstream which is great for your body and brain. Find a park with a nice walking path and make this a routine of your day. You might run into others at the park that would enjoy a walking companion.

Walking also benefits so many other aspects of your life. It helps you to sleep better, lose that unwanted weight, promotes increased energy, improves heart health and reduces your stress.

You can start short distances at a time. Try to increase the distance every time you walk. Before long you will be able to make it around the entire park. Success can be yours! You just must put your mind to it and get out of your old routine.

Make a Plan for Your Day

Write down the important tasks that you need to accomplish every day. Make sure that ‘self care’ is on that list. In doing this simple task the night before, you can manage your time better the next day and keep on track.

By making a to-do list, you can check things off as you go and not get distracted by non-important tasks. The schedule for the day will be a guide that will help you get things done and give you a feeling of success once it is completed.

Bill paying, tax preparation and cleaning are far from fun. They are, however, tasks that are important and necessary to complete before you move onto the activities that bring you joy. Waking up in a clean house will make you feel lighter and more energized for the day to come.

Putting off those important tasks drags you down emotionally. You will no longer be burdened once they are completed.

Get Enough Sleep and Wake up Early

According to the National Institute on Aging, older adults need the same amount of sleep as younger adults. We all need between 7-9 hours of sleep per night to function well throughout the day. When we do not get enough quality sleep, we become irritable, forgetful, depressed and become a greater fall-risk.

It is common for seniors to go to bed earlier and wake up earlier. Many seniors wake up throughout the night for a variety of reasons. If you are trying to get a good night’s sleep, keep a regular sleep schedule. Whether you are traveling or not, go to bed at the same time every day.

Do not take naps throughout the day. Getting your sleep during the daytime is going to have you waking up throughout the night and will interrupt your deep sleep pattern.

Stop drinking fluids after 6 p.m. I understand that keeping hydrated is important but try not to drink after 6 p.m. otherwise you will be waking up throughout the night for multiple trips to the restroom. Alcohol and caffeine will cause sleep disturbances. They are not your friends in the evenings.

Develop a healthy and relaxing bedtime routine. Take time before you go to bed to wind down. Take a soothing bath or shower, listen to soft music or read a good book.

Try not to watch television or work on the computer/ tablet prior to sleeping. The light from these units makes it more difficult for you to relax. Use low lighting as you prepare to go to sleep and do not exercise within three hours of bedtime. That is better done first thing in the morning.

Use Art to Show Your Creativity

Everyone has a bit of creativity. Whether we are gifted with the ability of writing, painting, woodwork, needle point, knitting or crafting, we can share our talents with others as gifts.

Write the story of your life in a journal for your children and grandchildren to enjoy. So you don’t feel so overwhelmed, stick to funny stories, romantic stories or stories that they might not know about you. This makes it a wonderful Christmas gift and will give you a whole year to write.

Knitting or crocheting are relaxing and productive activities. Making scarfs for children at an elementary school will not only bring you joy, but your talents will be greatly appreciated.

Amazon and many bookstores sell color books for adults that have beautiful and detailed pictures. Buy thin colored markers and once you are through, frame your art for all to see. This is a wonderful and relaxing task to do before you go to sleep.

If you like to do woodworking, make small trains, airplanes or birdhouses and give them away as gifts to children in the hospital or underprivileged children. By keeping your mind, body and hands working, it will bring you purpose, comfort and joy.

Seasonal wreaths are fun and easy to do. Hobby Lobby has everything that you will need to create a masterpiece to hang on your door for every season. Make one for your neighbor to enjoy too.

Find Reasons to be Grateful

Recognizing what it is that you are grateful for is a priority for healthy mental wellness. Too often we think of what we do not have instead of recognizing what we do have. Helping others that might be struggling is a way of showing that we can still make a difference in this world.

Doing good deeds for others makes us feel like we are participating in our life in a positive way. Many seniors who reach age 100 or above believe that they have good longevity because of what they have done for others, instead of focusing on their aches, pains and abilities that they no longer have. This is the key to mental wellness and strength.

Having a purpose-filled and meaningful life, staying active and achieving connection with others, helps to manage stressors in our lives and guard ourselves from loneliness and depression. Get a good sleep and wake up fully charged for a new wonderful day!

Kimberly Jensen has been working with Quail Park as a Senior Resource Advocate for over ten years and has helped hundreds of families find solutions to their senior problems. If you have a question, you can send it to her at KimberlyJ@QPCypress.com or call (559) 737-7443.