For a good life, your mental health matters. Positive emotions like joy and contentment feel good — and they’re good for your health. They boost your immune system and motivate you to stay connected and active. But mostly, being mentally healthy just makes life better.

Feeling a little depressed or anxious? Plagued with worries that keep you up at night? Taking care of your mental health means you get to enjoy doing the things you love with the people who mean the most to you — and there’s no shame in admitting that you might need a little help. After all, up to 25% of older adults are coping with a mental health challenge.

In this special section, we’ll explore the connections between mental and physical health, tackle issues like loneliness and depression, and empower you with practical tools to improve your emotional well-being. Your mental health matters — and so do you!

Scroll down to read all the stories in this special section, or click a headline below to jump to a specific article.

Five reasons to take loneliness seriously

The role chronic conditions play in your mental health

Quiz: Think you know the signs of depression and anxiety?

Five reasons to take loneliness seriously

Feeling lonely doesn’t just affect your mental health. Here’s how it can impact your physical health, plus tips for staying connected.

Connection is essential to our well-being, so it makes sense that loneliness and social isolation can take a serious toll on both physical and mental health. Older adults are particularly vulnerable. Loss of a spouse, mobility challenges, or vision and hearing issues can make it harder to stay socially engaged. Understanding the risks of loneliness is the first step toward addressing it.

Did you know? One in four adults over age 65 are socially isolated, which can raise the risk of mental health problems by 50%, according to the National Institute on Aging. 

Here are five surprising ways loneliness can harm your health: 

• Stroke. Studies show that loneliness is associated with a higher risk of stroke, likely due to increased stress and brain inflammation. 
   
• Dementia. One study found that lonely individuals had a 50% increased risk of developing dementia. Older adults who are lonely may experience faster declines in memory and thinking skills compared with those with strong social ties. 
   
• Heart disease. Loneliness is as harmful to heart health as smoking or obesity because it raises the risk of high blood pressure and heart failure. 
   
• Weakened immunity. Chronic loneliness has been linked to a weakened immune system, making it harder for the body to fight off illness. 
   
• High blood pressure. Social isolation can elevate stress hormones, leading to hypertension and increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes. 

How to stay connected

Making new relationships, and nurturing the ones you already have, can help you feel less lonely and more connected. Try these tips: 

• Get your vision and hearing checked. See page 3 for more details. 
   
• Join a local club. Whether it’s a book club or walking group, finding like-minded people can help you make new connections. 
   
• Get involved in your community. Visit a workshop at your library or look for local volunteering opportunities. 
   
• Learn conversation starters to make small talk easier. Simple phrases like “What are you reading lately?” can help break the ice. 
   
• Keep in touch with loved ones. Scheduling regular visits and phone calls can help you feel less lonely. 

 

The role chronic conditions play in your mental health

Experts believe there’s a link between having a chronic condition and feeling depressed or anxious. Here’s why, plus strategies to help you stay physically and mentally strong. 

Being diagnosed with a chronic health condition can stir up feelings of frustration, anger, and grief. Learning to live with it long-term can feel overwhelming. 

These are normal emotions. But if you can’t shake your low mood, you may also have a mental health condition. 

Research shows that people with chronic conditions are at higher risk for mental health conditions like depression and anxiety. These mental health conditions can make it harder to care for yourself and manage your physical health. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, older adults with chronic diseases are two to three times more likely to experience symptoms of depression. 

That’s why it’s essential to understand the link between chronic conditions and mental health. 

The mind-body connection

Chronic conditions can take a toll on your emotional well-being. The daily stress of managing symptoms can alter brain chemistry, affecting mood, thinking, and behavior. For example, studies show that people with a high level of arthritis pain are also the most likely to be depressed. Similarly, more than half of those with COPD experience depression. 

Some chronic conditions even have symptoms that mimic depression. Blood sugar fluctuations in diabetes can lead to mood swings, while fatigue from asthma or COPD can feel like depression. 

Caring for your mental health is part of the plan

Untreated depression and anxiety can interfere with following a treatment plan, eating well, or taking medications as prescribed. They can also increase the risk of heart disease and Alzheimer’s disease — and even lower your pain tolerance. In turn, chronic pain can intensify anxiety and depression. It’s a vicious cycle. 

Three daily habits to adopt

The good news? Making a few lifestyle tweaks can help support your overall health.

• Avoid alcohol and tobacco. Both can increase the risk of disease. And drinking can worsen depression symptoms.
• Eat the rainbow. Limit processed foods and focus on the disease-fighting power of colorful fruits and vegetables, such as berries and leafy greens.
• Sneak more exercise into your day. Staying active can help reduce the impact of chronic disease and boost mental health. 

 

Quiz: Think you know the signs of depression and anxiety?

Understanding mental health issues starts with knowing the signs. Take a few minutes to check in.

Knowing the signs of common mental health conditions makes it easier to spot them in yourself or others. Take our quiz, then talk to your doctor if you feel you might be at risk.

1. Which of the following is a common symptom of depression?

A) Difficulty making decisions

B) Frequent headaches

C) Insomnia

D) All of the above

Answer: D. For some older adults, feeling sad isn’t a main symptom. Instead, they may experience vague symptoms that can be mistaken for something else.

2. Which of these symptoms is more closely associated with anxiety than depression?

A) Persistent feelings of worthlessness

B) Excessive worry and restlessness

C) Loss of interest in favorite activities

D) Difficulty concentrating

Answer: B. It’s true that worry and restlessness can be present with depression, but excessively worrying about everyday things is a strong indicator of generalized anxiety disorder.

3. True or false: Feeling down from time to time means you have an anxiety disorder or depression.

A) True

B) False

Answer: B. Feeling blue or stressed out now and then is normal, no matter your age. But when these feelings start to affect your day-to-day life, you may be dealing with anxiety or depression.

4. Which of the following is a physical symptom often linked to depression?

A) Chest pain

B) Fever

C) Digestive issues

D) Sniffles

Answer: C. The mind-body connection is so strong that it’s often a physical woe telling you it’s time to pay attention to your mental health. Nagging fatigue and body aches are common signs to look for.

5. What is one way to help manage mild anxiety?

A) Stream a yoga session

B) Reschedule social outings

C) Tell yourself things could be worse

D) Brew a pot of coffee

Answer: A. As soothing as a good cup of joe can be, stress-relief practices that include mindfulness techniques like deep breathing, nature walks, and, yes, yoga have been shown to help ease anxiety. It’s also not good to ignore your feelings or pull away from activities you enjoy. Remember, anxiety and ression are treatable. Help begins by talking to your doctor about any concerns.