Whether we like it or
not, stress happens at every stage of life. Stress even affects older adults
who are entering their retirement years. For instance, some seniors worry about
a possible decline in their health, mobility, and independence. It is also a
common source of stress to worry about who will take care of them. This is made
more challenging because as we age, the way our bodies handle stress can
change, impacting concentration, sleep quality, physical health and illnesses.
As a result, good stress management is important for anyone, especially
seniors. Here are some ways that seniors can effectively manage stress levels, from
the team at our Continuing
Care Retirement Community (CCRC) in New Jersey.
How stress affects health and quality of life
Stress isn’t an
emotional state or mood, it’s a safety mechanism. When something happens that
is negative or upsetting, our brain reacts as if threatened. It releases
cortisol, the
stress hormone, that floods through the body’s nervous system, muscles and
organs to ready you to fight off the threat. This hormone increases heart
rhythm and blood pressure, releases glucose into the bloodstream, and shuts
down your digestive system so that the body can make muscles ready for fight or
flight, and reduce the immune response.
This reaction is all
well and good when you’re facing a potential threat, like coming across a
grizzly on a nature trail – but it’s a lot less helpful when the source of your
stress is concern for a loved one, health condition, or financial burden. Our
bodies and brains just can’t tell the difference.
As a result of the
many pressures and concerns of daily life, many people are living with constant
stress. Such an intense reaction that is supposed to help us survive in
dangerous situations and only last a few minutes is something we live with for
days, weeks, and months instead.
This has a big impact
on our health and quality of life. Consistently elevated cortisol levels can
trigger anxiety,
depression, mood swings, problems with digestion, weight gain, insomnia and
more. So, what can seniors do?
How to manage stress as a senior
- Know your stress triggers. First, identify what is stressing you out.
It may not be what you think – your anxiety over bills, for example, may
disguise itself as frustration with others. The only way to deal with
stress is to understand the root cause.
- Speak up. Different types of therapies work for
different people, so try to find one that works for you. Talking to a
therapist about what is causing your stress is the first step in managing
it, and releasing it.
- Get moving. Physical exercise cannot resolve the issue
that is causing your stress, but it can be very effective at alleviating
negative emotions. Getting your heart rate up for about 30 minutes a day
by walking, doing yoga, swimming, or dancing is a real mood booster.
- Lean on someone. Stress doesn’t have to be something you
deal with alone. Talking to a friend or loved one can help a lot – whether
you are talking about your stress directly or not. Closely knit social
bonds help make us feel stronger, more purposeful and less lonely.
- Have a laugh. Laughter may not be the best medicine, but
it sure comes pretty close! Laughing with
a friend, or at a TV show/novel has immediate and impressive effects on
our physical and mental health. It stimulates good oxygen circulation
through the body, relieves the stress response, soothes tension and even
helps with pain relief and immune system function.
Safe and easygoing community for seniors in Newton, NJ
Bristol Glen is a CCRC
in Newton, NJ, with beautiful grounds, apartments and plenty of amenities that
support independent living for seniors. It’s a great place for seniors to stay
healthy, active and stress-free, and the COVID-19 protocols ensure that
everyone gets the assistance they need in their daily life while staying safe.
If you are looking for a welcoming, safe community for yourself or a senior
loved one, contact us today or visit our website at: https://bristolglen.umcommunities.org/
Original content posted on https://bristolglen.umcommunities.org/bristol-glen/5-ways-seniors-can-manage-stress/
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