Mental Health Archive

Continuing to work in retirement can address many specific health needs of men as they age, such as stronger social connection, better cognitive health, and a greater sense of purpose. Regular work has been linked with higher rates of happiness and a lower risk for multiple health conditions. For men who don't want to re-enter the workforce, options like volunteering and mentoring can offer many of the same health benefits.

A 2025 study found that chronic stress is associated with higher stroke risks among women under 50, but not in men.

Approximately 50 million adults experience some daily pain. These people usually encounter fluctuations in pain during the day, but in many cases, the pain worsens at night, disrupting sleep. Many strategies can be adopted to prevent and manage nighttime pain, such as doing a pre-bedroom relaxation routine, creating a healthy sleep environment, reframing negative thinking, changing sleeping positions, and using supportive pillows.

People trapped in catastrophic thought patterns are convinced everything is awful and won't improve, which creates a constant sense of helplessness, anxiety, and stress. One way to stop this doomsday thinking is learning how to mentally pivot. Mental pivoting is the action of consciously deciding to deflect thoughts when they arise, so they don't fester and grow. By doing this, people can feel more in control of invasive thoughts when they arise.

A 2024 study indicated that adults 65 and older with major depression are more likely to exhibit risky driving behaviors such as speeding, hard braking, and hard cornering.

Super-agers are people who reach their 80s, 90s, or beyond with the memory capacity of someone at least three decades younger. As people get older, certain brain regions shrink, slowing brain functions. But super-agers retain more brain volume in areas linked to memory and movement, and their brains shrink more slowly over time. Women are more likely to be super-agers because they live, on average, longer than men. Genetics also appear to play a significant role in achieving super-ager status.

The purported health benefits of cold plunges include less stress, better sleep, and enhanced immunity, but the evidence is thin. While the practice may ease muscle soreness after intense exercise, it may have detrimental effects on gains in muscle power and strength. Because the shock of cold water on the skin can raise heart rate and blood pressure, people with cardiovascular disease (especially heart rhythm abnormalities) should avoid the practice.

In a 2025 study of about 2,000 people (average age 80) who were followed for seven years, about a third developed dementia or mild cognitive impairment. Being socially active seemed to delay that diagnosis for about five years.

Older adults might not think too much about how they want to spend their remaining years. However, some self-reflection can help them live their final years to their fullest. Asking themselves what is most important in five areas-relationships, health, education, personal growth, and recreation-can help people recognize where their passions lie. Once they discover which goals are most important, they then can begin developing plans to meet them.