Stress is a part of life for all of us. But for seniors, it can have a larger effect on physical and mental well-being.
Having worries and concerns is natural, but as we get older, it becomes even more important to practice stress-reduction techniques to manage these thoughts. The great news is that techniques to manage stress are usually simple for most people to practice. Meditation, deep breathing exercises, physical movement, and other strategies can help seniors continue to live the best quality of life and can even improve overall well-being.
Stress destroys cells in the hippocampus, a brain site responsible for memory storage and retrieval.
Why is it critical to manage stress?
Several studies have shown that stress is linked to mental and physical problems, from anxiety and depression to high blood pressure (hypertension) and immune system complications. In fact, it’s estimated that stress increases the risk of heart disease by 40%, heart attack by 25%, and stroke by 50%. Not to mention the fact that stress can also worsen existing conditions, which can be very impactful for those with less efficient immune systems.
What can seniors do to manage their stress in a positive way?
Finding moments of joy and focusing on activities and hobbies that bring meaning and purpose can help seniors manage their stress. Fortunately, there are many more stress relief techniques that seniors can follow to help improve their own personal well-being. What senior clients use to manage their stress today can help better prepare them for any future stress.
Stress Relief Techniques
- Seniors can call a friend or family member, have a video chat or spend time with loved ones when possible.
- Meditate at the same time every day or whenever feelings of stress or anxiety arise.
- Practice deep breathing and mindfulness exercises.
- Reach out to friends and family to connect and spend time together.
- Follow a consistent exercise regimen and healthy diet, upon physician approval.
- Journal or jot down thoughts and feelings at the end of each day.
- Be sure to take a moment to reflect on all the positive things that happened throughout the day.
- Find a volunteer or virtual volunteer opportunity to give back to the community.
- Put together and execute a to-do list to increase productivity, decrease feelings of restlessness, and combat procrastination.
- Join a yoga class or practice it at home (with physician approval).
- Listen to soothing or relaxing music, especially before bed.
- Find a way to laugh, whether it’s by watching a funny TV show/movie or listening to a comedy album.
Comfort Keepers® Can Help
At Comfort Keepers, we have always striven to perfect the art of helping seniors maintain their peace, happiness, and joy. To us, every moment in a senior’s life is a unique opportunity to foster positivity, going beyond daily tasks. Our approach to care is called Interactive Caregiving™, a philosophy centred around four central aspects of life: mind, body, nutrition, and safety.
What’s more, our trained caregivers are selected with one specific quality in mind: empathy. Empathetic care begins in the heart, it’s what enables us to truly understand and meet the unique needs of each client.
Learn more about our unique service offering by contacting Comfort Keepers today.
References
Healthline. “16 Simple Ways to Relieve Stress and Anxiety.” Web. 2018.
Huffington Post. “10 Health Benefits of Relaxation” by Sarah Klein. Web. 2014.
American Institute of Stress. “Improve Memory, Concentration, Productivity, and Health by Reducing Stress.” Web. 2018.
WebMD. “10 Relaxation Techniques That Zap Stress Fast.” Web. 2018.
