Combating Ageism to Improve Body Image and Mental Well-being |ADDICTED

With a rapidly aging population, there has been extensive research on ageism and how it can have serious and harmful effects on the health and psychological well-being of older adults. In fact, ageism is considered such a serious problem that the World Health Organization has developed a global campaign to combat ageism.

Guest post by Katie Brenneman.

The research shows that negative attitudes toward older adults have increased in the past ten to fifteen years, especially among younger generations but also in healthcare settings and the workplace. Unfortunately, this growing belief that older adults are less valuable or of no interest is leading to widespread ageism.

While most people think of ageism as being directed toward others, it is also becoming self-directed and internalized by older adults, which can negatively impact how they think and feel about themselves. This is leading to things like poor body image and poor mental health, which can end up impacting overall health and exacerbate chronic illness or existing health problems.

While global campaigns are working to change the narrative surrounding ageism, older adults need to be proactive themselves to promote positive self-perception and enhance their mental well-being.

Understanding Ageism

According to the American Psychological Association, ageism is considered one of the last socially acceptable prejudices. It is defined as discrimination against older individuals due to inaccurate and negative stereotypes. Unfortunately, this type of discrimination has become so ingrained in our culture that we don’t even realize how bad and harmful it is.

Ageism can occur in personal settings, at work, and even in healthcare settings, with doctors and even nurses exhibiting biased and unfair treatment of older adults. There are also different types of ageism, such as interpersonal ageism, which occurs between individuals, institutional ageism, which occurs in professional settings, and self-directed ageism, which can create a deep sense of self-doubt and severely negative self-perception.

No matter when, where, or how ageism occurs, it’s important to understand that these stubborn prejudices are based on falsehoods. Aging is a diverse process, and while some individuals may suffer from conditions that increase with age and make their lives more complicated, many older adults have great cognitive functioning and maintain good health. Even if someone does end up with a chronic illness, that does not make them less valuable or important.

The Negative Impacts of Ageism

The negative views of older adults are so dangerous that they not only hurt individuals, but can have an overall negative impact on communities, families, and society. For individuals, ageism can lead to poorer health and worsen chronic and short-term health issues, and in some cases, it can even shorten lifespans.

This is because when a person has a negative self-perception, they are more likely to engage in unhealthy habits, such as drinking, smoking, poor diet, and skipping medications. Ageism can also impact mental health, leading to feelings of worthlessness, which can trigger or worsen depression.

People with poor self-perception may also withdraw from social settings, which can increase feelings of loneliness and negatively impact relationships, leading to limited social support. Depression and increased feelings of loneliness can also lead to several other problems, including reduced sleep quality, increased stress, an impaired immune system, cognitive decline, exacerbated mental illness, and an increased risk of physical health problems.

Ageism can also impact body image, resulting in low self-esteem. This is particularly problematic among women, who are increasingly pressured to maintain a youthful appearance, but it can impact anyone of any gender as well. Things like ads and poor representation of older people in media can all cause older adults to feel like they are no longer physically appealing and thus have no value, which can also exacerbate anxiety and depression and lead to avoidance of social situations.

Practices to Help Embrace Aging and Foster Positive Well-being and Body Image

To combat ageism, it’s necessary to take a holistic, whole-body approach. This means changing your habits, as well as adopting practices to change your mental perception of your body and self-worth.

1. Get Better Sleep

Good sleep quality is critical for older adults no matter the situation, but it’s especially important if you are struggling with the negative effects of ageism. When you lose sleep, you are more likely to feel physically and mentally worse, which can increase health problems and exacerbate negative thoughts about yourself.

To improve sleep, try adopting a relaxing bedtime routine, such as lowering the lights, listening to soothing music, reading, or practicing meditation. It’s also important to have a comfortable sleep environment that is conducive to good sleep, such as a high-quality mattress and pillows. You can also use aromatherapy to create a relaxing atmosphere.

2. Engage in Self-Care

Taking the time to care for your body can help you appreciate all that it does for you and help you boost your self-image. There is no one right way to practice self-care, however. It’s all about listening to your body and trying to reconnect with yourself.

This can be done by adopting a self-care body ritual, such as taking a bath and then applying lotion afterward, applying anti-aging skincare treatments, or going to the spa for skin treatments and a massage. It can also include doing things to make your body feel better, such as practicing yoga, stretching in the morning and at night, or using a hot tub to relieve body aches and pains.

Hot tubs are great for relaxation and stress relief, but they can also help ease tired and sore muscles and arthritis pain. You can simply soak for a few minutes to relax your body or do some stretches in the hot tub to aid in muscle relief.

3. Keep Your Body Moving

As you age, your body loses elasticity, which can impact mobility. However, if you keep your body moving and engage in regular exercise, it can help you maintain your mobility and strength. This is important not only to help you feel better physically, but exercise can also improve mental clarity and well-being as well.

Try stretching regularly and going for walks. Swimming is also a great exercise for older adults as it’s low impact. If you are struggling on your own, you can try personal training. There are a lot of personal trainers who cater to aging adults, helping them learn how to take care of their bodies and offering guided support to help get them back into shape.

4. Shift Your Focus to the Positive

To avoid letting those negative thoughts sink in, try shifting your attitude toward more positive self-affirmations. A great way to start is by practicing self-compassion. Stop blaming your body for aging and what it can’t do and focus on what you still can do.

Try listing reasons why you appreciate your body and all the positive ways it has served you. If you find yourself having negative, disparaging thoughts, stop and try to shift the narrative. Avoid negative self-talk and instead, remind yourself of all the things you love about yourself.

It can also help to journal at the end of the night and list the positive things that happened during the day instead of thinking about everything that went wrong. You can even try writing an apology letter to yourself for all the times you made yourself feel bad and talked negatively about yourself.

5. Seek Peer Support

Likely, you are not alone in your feelings. It can help to stay social and engage with others your age to help support one another and remind each other why you are loved and valued.

It’s also important to try to maintain healthy relationships with family and talk to them about how you are feeling, especially if they have been perpetuating any ageism and making negative comments around you. Let them know how that makes you feel and try to keep the lines of communication open so you can improve your relationship going forward.

Final Thoughts

If you are still having a hard time combating the negative effects of aging, remember that it’s okay to seek counseling. If anxiety and depression go untreated, it can seriously impact your health and mental well-being. A professional can offer you the guidance and support you need to get back on the right track and find joy and appreciation in your life and body again.