Shelby Shopper Shelby NC
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1493423
Thursday, February 23-March 1, 2023 www.shelbyinfo.com 704/484-1047 - shelby shopper & info - Page 9 Imagine with me a couch potato and that may not be too hard to do because you may live with one or even be one. So here's a couch potato stretched out on the sofa, watching TV. Well, not really watching TV, more like fl ipping through 150 channels and complaining because there's nothing on. There are grip marks on the remote because of its constant use. And due to the constant use, the remote control's batteries go dead. That's right, the couch potato is on the sofa, remote in hand, and the batteries are dead. The solution may be obvious to you—get up and replace the batteries. But what if the couch potato is such an extreme couch potato that the thought of getting up is just too much? So the couch potato just lies there, not moving to replace the batteries, watching the same channel all day long. Extreme case? Maybe, maybe not. How many times a day do you choose the same channel of a bad habit rather than getting up and replacing it? You have a great gift inside—the gift of choice. So get up and choose wisely as you Work Positive and Live Positive today. What will you get up for? ListentoLife.org LISTEN TO LIFE by Dr. Joey Faucette "Accepting New Clients" "Your Hometown Tax Pro Since 1984!" COOK'S COOK'S ACCOUNTING & TAX SERVICE 704-472-1747 704-472-1747 spcook53@yahoo.com 232-J S. Lafayette St., Shelby, NC (Across From Pleasant City Grille, Inside Carolina Mall) Steven P. Cook Mon.-Fri. 10-6 • Sat. 9-3 It's Here Again! TAX TIME! TAX TIME! • All Work Guaranteed • Reasonable Rates • Open All Year! • Alway Free E-File 30% DISCOUNT to First Responders March 6,7,13 & 14 By Appointment 30% DISCOUNT to Teachers & Educators March 8,9,15 & 16 By Appointment No one is immune to issues that can adversely affect their mental health, including men and women nearing retire- ment age and those who are already retired. Though the term "golden years" suggests life in retirement is one sunny day after another, many in- dividuals 60 and older are dealing with mental health issues. According to the World Health Organization, ap- proximately 15 percent of the world's adults aged 60 and over suffer from a men- tal disorder. What makes that statistic even more troubling is that the WHO acknowledg- es it likely doesn't paint the most accurate picture of se- niors and mental health, as depression is often undiag- nosed among older men and women and untreated be- cause it co-occurs with other issues affecting seniors. In the past, the Centers for Disease Control and Pre- vention has acknowledged that late-life anxiety was not readily understood. However, much progress has been made in recent years thanks to a heightened awareness of the problem of seniors and mental health. That means seniors now have ample re- sources they can look to as they seek to learn what they can do to safeguard their mental health. Recognizing warning signs The National Institute of Mental Health notes that rec- ognizing the signs of mental health issues is the fi rst step to getting treatment. Mental health issues vary, and indi- viduals with anxiety will likely experience different symp- toms than those with depres- sion. But the NIMH notes that the following are some of the warning signs of mental health issues. • Noticeable changes in mood, energy level, or ap- petite • Feeling fl at or having trouble feeling positive emo- tions • Diffi culty sleeping or sleeping too much • Diffi culty concentrating, feeling restless, or on edge • Increased worry or feel- ing stressed • Anger, irritability, or ag- gressiveness • Ongoing headaches, di- gestive issues, or pain • Misuse of alcohol or drugs • Sadness or hopeless- ness • Suicidal thoughts • Engaging in high-risk ac- tivities • Obsessive thinking or compulsive behavior • Thoughts or behaviors that interfere with work, fam- ily, or social life • Engaging in thinking or behavior that is concerning to others • Seeing, hearing, and feel- ing things that other people do not see, hear, or feel Seeking help As noted, a growing aware- ness of mental health issues and how they affect seniors has translated to more avail- able resources for aging men and women who need help. Within the United States, se- niors can visit the NIMH Help for Mental Illnesses webpage (https://www.nimh.nih.gov/ health/fi nd-help) to access contact information for vari- ous groups that help people in times of mental health crises. In Canada, individu- als can visit the Canadian Mental Health Association at https://cmha.ca/fi nd-help/ fi nd-cmha-in-your-area/ for contact information for vari- ous groups across the coun- try. Behaviors that can be benefi cial The National Institute on Aging notes that most cases of depression cannot be prevented. However, the NIA also notes that healthy lifestyle changes can have long-term benefi ts of seniors' mental health. Such changes include: • Being physically active • Eating a healthy diet that can reduce risk for diseases that can bring on disability and depression • Getting adequate sleep, which for seniors is between seven to nine hours per night • Remaining socially ac- tive, including regular contact with friends and family • Participating in activities you enjoy • Sharing mental issues or concerns with friends, family members and your physician Research indicates that seniors are vulnerable to mental health issues. More information about how to combat and overcome such issues is available at nimh. nih.gov. What seniors can do to safeguard their mental health