How older adults can manage stress
We all experience a little stress from time to time. As we age, coping with stress isn’t as easy as it used to be
What’s different about coping with stress when we’re older?
“Our cells are aging. Heart fitness and lung capacity decline, especially if you’re sedentary,” That keeps us from adequately accommodating the body’s natural stress response
You may also feel a difference mentally. “Normally when we’re stressed, our brains get flooded with stress hormones, the midbrain takes over, and the front of the brain—which controls concentration, attention, and decision-making—works less well. Stress hormones in the brain can also contribute to short-term memory problems that are unrelated to dementia or age-related memory loss. Restorative sleep helps to flush stress hormones from the brain. However, many older adults have sleep problems. Stress may make it more difficult to fall back if we don’t sleep well.
What are the symptoms of stress
It may include tension headaches, indigestion, heart palpitations, poor concentration, sleep difficulties, anxiety, irritability, crying, or overeating. If any of these symptoms are interfering with your quality of life, it is time to seek for help.
What you should do
If you’re feeling stressed, consider talking about your concerns with loved ones and getting a physical check-up. Treatment may include addressing an underlying condition, such as high blood pressure. Eating a healthy diet and getting plenty of exercise is also important, as is nurturing yourself by pursuing activities that bring you joy, and making time to socialize.
A big part of stress management focuses on triggering the opposite of the stress response: the relaxation response, which helps lower blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, oxygen consumption, and stress hormones. Techniques include yoga, tai chi, meditation, and deep breathing exercises. Another treatment for stress is cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps you identify negative thinking and replace it with healthy or positive thoughts.
To summarize, some important ways to reduce stress on your body are:
Increase mindfulness.
Exercise regularly.
Engage in relaxations techniques like Tai Chi, Yoga, massage or simply take the time to do what makes you happy!
Become active within your community and cultivate warm relationships.
Eat nutritionally dense foods and avoid sugar.
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