June 15th – World Smile Power Day and the Importance of Aging Adults Mental Health
The power of a single smile goes deeper than you could ever imagine. A simple smile can take an aging adults’ day from mediocre to amazing. Aging adults are at a high risk for isolation and loneliness, and we as people can help lower that risk. Aging adults also struggle with other life changes such as serious illnesses, losing a loved one, and moving away from their home. Some warning signs as stated by “” Older Adults and Mental Health”” are: “Noticeable changes in mood, energy level, or appetite, Feeling flat or having trouble feeling positive emotions, Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much, Difficulty concentrating, feeling restless, or on edge, Increased worry or feeling stressed, Anger, irritability, or aggressiveness, Ongoing headaches, digestive issues, or pain, Misuse of alcohol or drugs, Sadness or hopelessness, Thoughts of death or suicide or suicide attempts, Engaging in high-risk activities, Obsessive thinking or compulsive behavior, Thoughts or behaviors that interfere with work, family, or social life, Engaging in thinking or behavior that is concerning to others, and Seeing, hearing, and feeling things that other people do not see, hear, or feel,” (National
Challenge yourself to smile more often today. Use a smile to disarm a tense situation, or simply smile during your daily tasks. Are you having trouble smiling?
Tips to Help You Smile
- Think of a few happy moments that automatically generate a smile for you. You know, those moments where you belly laughed until your stomach hurts or a time when you were so pleased with yourself your face hurt from smiling. Keep those memories handy and use them to help you smile more often.
- Save a couple of short jokes that are just so silly you can’t help but smile. Tell them to others, too. The best ones are simple children’s jokes or riddles that play on words.
- Learn Spoonerisms. This fun way of swapping letters in two words in a phrase to make new words make people stop and think. And then they smile and so will you! An example of a Spoonerism is instead of ordering peas and carrots at a restaurant you say, “I’ll have the keys and parrots.”
- Make a list of the things you’re grateful for. Which ones make you smile? Keep the list handy and refer to it often. Add to it and feel your smiles add up.
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