Reflection: An Essential Part of Aging

So many of BREAM’s classes prompt participants to reflect on their own life experiences. Why? Because reflection is an integral part of healthy aging. From the people we know throughout our lives to past accomplishments, self-reflection is especially beneficial to the aging process. The American Psychological Association holds that reflection can improve psychological well-being in older adults, and the practice can be particularly helpful in boosting the state of mind in seniors with memory loss conditions such as dementia or Alzheimer's. We’ve outlined some additional benefits to this introspective practice below:

Reflecting on past accomplishments can help us find direction and provide an elevated sense of self-esteem.

By deeply reflecting on past accomplishments, whether it be personal milestones or professional achievements, older adults can be reminded of how far they’ve come, resulting in a renewed sense of self worth. Fully understanding past accomplishments can also help older adults find direction as they transition into new stages of life. 

Reflection allows us to acquire a more holistic view of life.

At its core, reflection requires us to process and understand. As we negotiate and reflect on our past experiences, circumstances, and motivations, we are able to understand our lives in a more holistic and enriching way. Introspection allows us to connect, or reconnect with the things that are most important to us while helping us recognize how we might change or evolve as people. In this way, reflection can help us be more in tune with ourselves. 

Reflection can help us preserve valuable family history.

By reflecting on our past experiences and recounting it to our loved ones, we are, in essence, preserving our family history. At BREAM, we recognize the immense value in intergenerational relationships, and by recounting past experiences, we can strengthen bonds within families.