In this series, we’re speaking to Unity Health Toronto experts about the strategies they use to help their own mental health and recommend to others too. 

Dr. Jennifer Watt is a Geriatrician and Scientist at St. Michael’s Hospital.

What’s one good thing seniors and caregivers can do to help deal with stress?

There have definitely been a lot of concerns lately from not only older adults, but also their caregivers. People are feeling sad, anxious and stressed, but there’s also a lot of loneliness. People feel disconnected from their friends, family and loved ones.

I think it’s important to acknowledge how people are feeling. There’s so much uncertainty – new variants, getting fully vaccinated and then needing to get a booster – there’s not a lot of stability. I think it’s important for people to know that if they feel stressed or anxious, that’s a really appropriate response to everything that’s happening. But we need to find ways to relieve that stress and anxiety.

I’m a big proponent of physical activity. From a biological perspective, we know there are a number of different neurotransmitters in people’s brains that can be positively impacted by physical activity. That’s why when you go for a walk you feel really good – the movement is causing chemical changes in your brain that are really positive for you and your well-being. Socially, you’ll feel good if you enjoy being with others. If you’re getting out and doing a group activity, there’s a social piece and you’ll feel good from that perspective. And lastly, there’s a psychological perspective. Taking a break from whatever it is that’s troubling you and going for a walk really helps. During that time, you’re focused on that activity, and you deprioritize the things that may be stressing you out or making you sad. It reinforces positive thinking.

Movement has been shown to help with a whole range of mental health outcomes, and it’s also something I do myself to cope. I really love outdoor activities. In the spring, summer and fall I love to run. Not so much in the winter when it’s freezing! I also love to bicycle – running and going for bike rides are probably my two favorite activities. In the winter, I go skiing, snowshoeing, and walking.

Because of the pandemic, some people have felt more limited because they can’t participate in exercise classes at the gym. But there are still a lot of opportunities to get active if you go outside – go for walks either on your own or with others, hike or bicycle. A number of the older adults I see in my practice take part in outdoor winter activities. Some do more intense activities like downhill skiing, others prefer to just go for walks. If people can think of things they enjoy doing, it’s really important for them to make time for that activity.

-As told to Jennifer Stranges. This interview has been edited and condensed.

More one good thing articles