I feel like I’m on a skid.
I have no real ambition to get anything done, I just sit in my chair and read. This is so not like me. I’m the person who wakes up with a list for the day. My husband usually asks me what’s on my agenda for tomorrow… lately he has stopped asking.
I put off things I really want to do – why? I don’t know. I just don’t feel like doing them. Even my craft room is not tempting me. Last night I forced myself to go in there and organize a few things so I could work on some Christmas projects. I don’t usually have to force myself to make anything. I am a maker at heart – usually with a million ideas and plans in my head. Lately not so much. I intend to spend some time in the craft room. I know once I get started I will be happy. It’s just been a slog to get started.
I don’t think I’m depressed. I know what depression looks like – it’s my sister lying in bed for weeks on end crying because the sun came up. So I’m not technically depressed, but I think I’m in a bit of a funk right now. Don’t know why. Maybe because I have had trouble walking any distance lately. I got a couple of shots that help and I’m determined to reclaim that pleasure.
It could be because I have things wrong with me that make it hard to do stuff I want to do. Not really a good excuse. I have a friend who is going through a lot right now (health-wise) but he is still doing what he wants to do. He has every right to be depressed but I don’t think he is. Worried and stressed for sure but not depressed.
This got me wondering if depression is a normal part of getting older.
It is not. If you have a history of depression, chances are you will suffer as you get older. Talk to your doctor or nurse practitioner if you are worried. Ignoring any health issue (mental or physical) is never a good idea. In my experience it never magically goes away if you ignore it.
There are some factors associated with aging that may contribute to depression. An underlying health issue or a serious health diagnosis is one of them.
Chronic pain is another. This is one I can identify with. It can prevent you from doing things you love to do. It can also stop you from doing things that will improve your health – like walking or exercising or weeding the garden. If you can find a way to manage the pain, do it so your physical fitness doesn’t suffer and so you can get back to doing what you enjoy.
Medications. Drugs can have side effects that affect you both physically and mentally. Some can make you feel tired or lethargic, others might give you brain fog. Talk to your doc if you think your meds are messing you up.
There are a lot of things about getting old that are hard to accept. Not being able to do things that you used to easily do is one of them. I had to ask my daughter to put some heavy books away on a high shelf because climbing up on the bench to do that is now a major undertaking for me. I stood at the ready, books in hand so I could pass them to her once she got up on the bench. Instead she took the books from me, hopped easily and gracefully onto the three-foot-high bench (heavy books in hand) and popped the books back on the top shelf. Okey dokey then. Not such a big deal for her. It took her ten seconds. I’d had the books sitting there for months.
It’s easy to get discouraged. Something like getting the lawn mowed becomes a major headache. I hate that I can’t do stuff.
Social isolation can contribute to feeling down. When you just don’t feel like doing anything and you skip your weekly luncheon or bridge game you’re not doing yourself any favours. Go whether your feel like it or not. You’ll be happy you did. There are proven health benefits from regular social interaction. If that social interaction involves phyisical activity or using your brain – even better.
Social isolation can also feel like rejection or a feeling of being excluded. Mobility or health issues can lead to seniors feeling this way. Studies have shown that people get an actual physical pain that is associated with a feeling of exclusion or rejection.
Seniors living in a facility have a highter incidence of depression. I can see that. If you have a friend or a relative in a facility you can contribute to their mental well-being by visiting. Play cards with them, read to them, play music for them. Tell them about your day. It doesn’t matter what you do. It’s your physical presence that is important.
Physical activity is a biggie as you get older. Don’t ever give that up. Do what you can. If you stop doing it, you won’t be able to start again – or if you can start it will be a lot harder. This one I know from my own experience. Moving your body is crucial to healthy aging.
And yes, I know I’ve said that before.
I’ll close with the immortal words of Bette Davis: Old age ain’t no place for sissies.
We are not sissies.
