You take a walk to keep your body healthy and you swallow Omega 3 supplements for the sake of your brain, but your emotional world? What does it look like to live an emotionally healthy life?
Romeo Kabanda is a Registered Clinical Counsellor working with Langley Seniors Resources Society. We asked him to help us understand how to be emotionally healthy as we age.
BRIA: What does it look like to live an emotionally health life?
ROMEO: It’s about being able to balance emotional honesty. You feel comfortable saying when you’re okay and when you’re not. We all go through challenges, and seniors face some specific ones. Being emotionally healthy means being willing to share about those challenges, ask for help, and even be sad and cry.
BRIA: Why do some seniors struggle to talk about emotional issues?
ROMEO: What I hear from seniors, and what I see in my own family, is that they were taught to suck it up, push it down, get on with life. Expressing your emotions was stigmatized when they were younger; they didn’t talk about their challenges and that’s the biggest barrier.
BRIA: What are some of the biggest emotional challenges seniors face?
ROMEO: Aging transitions are also challenging; trying to navigate changes in your career, family, or living situation can be difficult. Comparison can be a big issue. I’ve had a lot of clients who struggle with comparing themselves to other seniors, whether it’s about family, money or friends. And often, seniors have trauma that they have not processed, and that can really erode the way they think about themselves and their lives.
Counselling can be an important part of being emotionally strong. What are some other practices you recommend?
- Mindfulness—This is one of the biggest things we practice. It’s about staying present in the moment without judging what you’re experiencing but instead being compassionate to yourself.
- Journalling—I give away a lot of journals and encourage people to write down how they are feeling—even if it’s just a single word.
- Emotions Wheel—I use this tool often because many people can’t name their feelings. An emotion wheel helps give them words to express themselves.
- Gratitude — this is a practice that I highly recommend for helping with emotional wellbeing.
As part of a new initiative at Langley Senior Resources Society, Romeo works from the seniors centre on Wednesdays. He is available for half-hour appointments at $65 for members and $73 for non-members. These appointments can be scheduled through LSRS by phone at 604-530-3020. Contact Romeo directly by email for alternative arrangements.
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