Spiritual life is formed by the coming together of three types of events. Cognitive events (perception, thinking), Affective events (emotion, mood, feelings) Communicative events (relationships of people with each other and with their environment). The characters of the people formed with the contribution of all of these events become a determining factor of mental health as they provide communication with the social environment. . One day, during a conversation with our "young elders" in one of our nursing homes, a conversation took place that I found very interesting.
While I thought physical health was more important for our elderly, it was noteworthy that, on the contrary, mental health was seen as more important for them. From that moment on, I tried to look at life through their eyes. We can say that protecting physical and mental health, being prepared for some losses that may occur in the future, accustoming oneself to retirement at a young age and having some efforts for this in advance, the individual's philosophy of life differentiates his perspective on old age, which contributes to a better management of his life in old age. .
The main mental problems experienced in old age are depression, suicide attempt and dementia. The effects, reactions and approaches of each of these are different. As Ericson said; While old age is a period in which personal integrity is formed as a result of a long life rush and the realization of goals, it can also be a period in which life ties weaken and despair is experienced as a result of not being able to make life meaningful. Therefore, despair and fear of death are the greatest danger of this period. Elderly people who maintain their creative and constructive powers and who can keep their productivity level high despite their deteriorating health can live meaningful, happy, satisfied lives and have good relations with their environment.
The elderly individual who accepts the integrity of life with its positive-negative, bitter-sweet aspects, has reached the integrity of self. Thus, there is no regret or longing. Undoubtedly, stress is a unique problem of every age. While life flows like water through our palms, things may not always be the way we want. Sometimes events, sometimes people, sometimes circumstances that develop outside of us make us feel demoralized. may cause persecution.
The important thing is to give ourselves an opportunity to create the energy to find our inner balance again under all circumstances and conditions. How can we turn our energy into positive? Everyone may have their own way of doing this. For example: painting, listening to music, getting excited with those notes and washing our souls, growing flowers in pots, knitting, using some kind of creativity and even loving, wouldn't it renew a person's cells?
Doesn't watching a good movie, a conversation with a friend, drinking tea, and laughing connect us to life? Smile today, that's not enough for you, have a laugh, because laughter is contagious...
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