15 Self-Care Ideas for Seniors

Empower yourself in your senior years by taking control of your self-care and enjoying greater well-being.

Try these 15 ideas and see how you can turn senior adulthood into an opportunity to become your best, most vibrant you:

1. Increase Your Positive Outlook

Don’t dwell on the negatives of aging. Instead, bring the positives front and center, so that you increase the chances of having an uplifting outlook.

For example, use a gratitude journal to jot down the things you’re grateful for each day. Develop positive habits to change your mindset to one that fosters well-being.

2. Create a Mindfulness Practice

Mindfulness is an important practice at any age. And the beauty is you can start at any time. You’re definitely never too old.

Find ways to start a simple practice of being more mindful so that you’re present in your daily life.

It will bring greater physical and psychological well-being and enrich your life with an inner joy as you go through your daily activities and routines.

3. Give Back from Your Experience

Seniors have a wealth of valuable knowledge to share with the world. So don’t hide your light because you think you don’t have anything worthwhile to contribute. You can find new ways to share your knowledge, such as writing a memoir, volunteering on a committee, doing speaking engagements, or sitting on aboard. Getting involved and spending time with new people can boost your psychological and physical well-being immensely.

And if you prefer a quieter, more introverted approach, just find a favorite charity or organization and give of your time and resources to make a difference.

4. Embrace the Naps and Rest Periods

As your body ages, you’ll likely experience more tiredness during the daytime. You don’t need to spend the whole day napping, but don’t fight it either.

According to the National Sleep Foundation, napping improves alertness, performance, and relaxation.

So allow yourself the short periods of renewal during your day. It doesn’t mean you’re lazy. It actually has many benefits.

5. Monitor Your Medical Care

You don’t need to become a medical whiz or spend hours doing research online, but you should monitor your medical care to the point where you can make the best decisions for yourself.

It’s important to be a participant in your own health care. Work with your doctor, ask questions, learn about medications, and take an active role in your support.

Taking advantage of expert advice doesn’t mean you need to be passive and not ask questions. Knowledge is power, and you can be proactive and involved.

Develop a good relationship with your doctor and pharmacist and learn what you need to know to get the best care for your circumstances.

6. Eat a Healthy Diet to Age Better

When it comes to foods, you’re going to see changes in your digestion as you age. Things you once tolerated may no longer sit well.

You might even develop new intolerances and allergies.

However, the best food advice for any age is always to eat as healthy as you can, plus pay attention to your body, and learn what works best for you.

Include lots of healthy food choices, and make sure to stay hydrated during the day. In the evening, avoid foods and drinks that affect your sleep.

Sleep is super important, and we talk about it more in the next section.

7. Get Enough Sleep to Support Well-Being

Earlier, we talked about taking advantage of naps. Well, getting enough quality sleep at night is equally important for seniors to enjoy better health and well-being.

According to WebMD, seniors need the same amount of sleep as they did at any other point in their adult lives. Seniors needing less sleep is a myth.

However, health issues tend to cause insomnia as we get older, making it even more important to be proactive with self-care.

Health problems causing wakefulness at night can become a vicious cycle, adding to already present medical concerns. Learn how to prepare yourself for sleep and make the most of the time for rest and renewal. You can also use natural sleep aids like a weighted blanket, sleep mask, or white noise machine to support your rest.

8. Use Your Weaknesses as Motivation

Age-related ailments and conditions can be debilitating, but your weaknesses can also motivate you to work at growing stronger.

Are arthritis aches holding you captive? Why not set some goals and choose a fun workout activity to help alleviate your pain?

Feeling lonely or isolated at home? Consider doing volunteer work or joining a club to meet new friends and expand your social life.

Feeling like you don’t know how to do anything anymore? Sign up for a class to learn new skills, such as keeping up with computer technology.

9. Include Appropriate Exercise

Exercise is key to healthy aging, but how you choose to exercise matters. Be mindful of your fitness and mobility levels during your senior years.

Your body at this stage of life needs extra care and caution, and exercise should be tailored to your unique health status.

Seek out a doctor’s advice or meet with a personal trainer to get on an exercise program that will reap the most benefits for your health and well-being.

Many seniors enjoy a regular yoga routine that is gentle and nurturing.

10. Celebrate Your Age

Feeling too old to take part in activities is an unhealthy mindset. Rather than hiding away or avoiding doing things because of your age, take the opposite approach.

Enroll in a college course, go salsa dancing, take up kayaking, you name it. Show yourself and others how capable you are as a senior adult.

Not only will you discredit the stereotypes, but you’ll also build courage and have fun too.

11. Explore the World – Near and Far

Travel has many benefits for seniors, including increased cognitive function, emotional stability, and confidence.

Take advantage of the time and freedom you have as a senior to visit new places or return to a favorite spot.

No budget for travel? Explore local museums, read books, or watch documentaries. Learning about the world through pictures, words, and exhibits can be as gratifying and rewarding as visiting in person.

12. Embrace Friendships – New and Old

Decades of building friendships have a big payoff during the senior years. By spending time with the friends you’ve made over the years, you can reduce feelings of loneliness, isolation, and boredom.

According to the Mayo Clinic, friendships also give you a sense of purpose and help lower the risk of unhealthy weight and high blood pressure. Aim for a variety of friends – young, old, new, and longtime–to keep life interesting.

13. Make Safe Living a Priority

Being and feeling safe as a senior can make all the difference to your health and happiness, so make an effort to safe-proof your home and environment.

Equip the bathroom with safety features to avoid slips and falls. If you live in cold, icy climates, arrange for snow and ice removal services.

And don’t rule out a move if it becomes necessary. Safety and peace of mind can be life-changing.

14. Pamper Yourself Regularly

Now that you’re a senior, you’ve earned the right to pamper yourself without holding back. Take a relaxing bath at night, enjoy dinner out with friends, or buy yourself a gift.

Pampering and relaxing have many health perks that will help you age into your best you, from lowered stress to improved concentration and mood.

And don’t skimp when it comes to self-care; make a point to do something nurturing for yourself every day.

15. Enjoy the Perks of Being a Senior

There are plenty of incentives and perks for seniors, and no reason not to use them.

Look into senior discounts at restaurants, movie theaters, and other venues, and have fun doing things you might not have done without the savings.

The senior years are a time to flourish. Take advantage of your age, embrace it and everything that comes with it to blossom into the healthiest, happiest version of yourself.