Being mentally healthy is not an accident, nor solely dependent on good genes. People don’t go suddenly “insane,” as movies suggest. Instead, it’s an accumulation of consequences. Sanity and well-being doesn’t happen overnight, either. It takes a consistent effort, making good decisions for the sake of your overall wellness rather than an immediate gain. And it’s never too late to make positive improvements, changes, and to experience the emotional benefits of better psychological living.

Life presents us with a series of expected developmental milestones (going to school, marriage, raising and launching children, grand-parenting, retirement, loss of loved ones, declining physical bodies) and unexpected challenges (unemployment, accidents, natural disasters, cancer, dementia). The resilience we accumulate during the calm, uneventful times by making healthy decisions carries us through the challenging periods of our lives. The idea of “banking resilience” is well-substantiated in the scientific literature, serving as a protective factor. So, how do we stockpile resilience and nurture a sense of positive well-being?

There are a number of ingredients to keeping your sanity with age, beginning with a balanced life including healthy eating, weight control, moderation in alcohol usage, not smoking, and remaining physically active. Additionally, as we age our ideas of sexuality expand beyond just “the act” to include intimacy and closeness. Don’t deny this part of well-being, either.

Although we welcome the leisure of retirement, we get more from our jobs than just a paycheck: opportunities to interact with others, a daily routine, and a sense worth. What’s the first question people often ask: “What do you do for a living?” Losing this source of identity can be troublesome, especially for men. Find a part-time job, volunteer at an elementary school, teach people how to read, serve on the parish council, routinely help at the senior activity center, or explore the opportunities with the U.S. Government’s Senior Corps.

We’ve all heard computer experts warning about downloading files off the web or clogging up your PC with too much junk — it’s the “garbage in, garbage out” principle. A steady stream of negative information, bits of pessimism, cynical thoughts, and images all pollute our thinking and impair happiness. This mental garbage can come from people, news media, or even our habit of seeing the glass half-empty. Spend more time with optimistic people, look for that silver lining, be thankful, watch less than two hours of television, compliment others, practice smiling, find humor and laugh, and be conscious of the type of books you read or movies watched.

Build a broad network of supportive friends, from the age of 2 to 92. Take risks, try a different restaurant, talk to a stranger while grocery shopping, try bowling, or go listen to a live band. A senior could also telephone a neighbor, listen to music, adopt a dog. Give and receive help. Doing both creates positive exchanges that bind us together. Routinely go to church or Sunday school, a terrific opportunity to interact, socialize, and meet people. Go dancing, fishing, or venture to one of the countless church events, socials, and fish fries here in the Tri-State community. Take a college course, a non-credit class on a special topic, an introductory flying lesson.

Remove the words “old, can’t, shouldn’t, and must” from your vocabulary; they only limit possibilities. Be mindful that people grow and change throughout their lives, and every moment is an opportunity to be healthy, build resilience, stay sane, and be happy.

Dr. Vaughn DeCoster is an associate professor of Social Work at USI and specializes in trauma, emotion, and working with older adults. He is a member of the planning committee for the 7th annual Mid-America Institute on Aging, to be held August 14-15, 2014, co-sponsored by the University of Southern Indiana and SWIRCA & More. More information at http://www.usi.edu/health/continuing-education/summer-programs.