5 Simple Stress Management Techniques for Seniors
“Unfortunately, as hard as we might try, it will never be possible to eliminate all of the stressors in life. That’s why it’s important to find a stress management technique that works for you.”
Stress has a funny way of impacting our health. But for seniors, learning how to effectively manage and mitigate stress is one of the keys to thriving throughout your golden years. Here’s what you need to know about stress and how you can effectively manage it.
What Stress Does to the Body
Stress is a natural reaction to many situations that demand our heightened attention. But being chronically stressed isn’t healthy.
When we’re stressed, our body goes into “fight or flight” mode. In this condition, our bodies produce more stress hormones, like cortisol. When these stress hormones remain elevated over long periods, they can wreak havoc on our bodies.
Stress can manifest itself in various ways, and it’s important to remember that it looks different for everyone. Here are a few symptoms of chronic stress to watch for:
Headaches
Irritability
Difficulty concentrating
Indigestion
Heart palpitations
Back pain
Restlessness or difficulty sleeping
Benefits of Reducing Stress
Stress can take a toll on anyone. It can wear you down psychologically, and chronic stress plays a role in physical health as we age. That means it can make all the difference between thriving and just getting by. That’s why there’s no shortage of benefits to reducing stress.
The immediate physical responses to stress include symptoms such as:
Excessively alert or awake
Rapid heart rate or pulse
Increased blood pressure
Short, rapid breathing
Learning to effectively manage your stress comes with some of these long-term health benefits:
Improved mental health and lower risk of depression and anxiety
Improved digestion
Reduced risk of long-term diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s
Unfortunately, as hard as we might try, it will never be possible to eliminate all of the stressors in life. That’s why it’s essential to find a stress management technique that works for you.
Simple Stress Management for Seniors
Stress management isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. What works for you might not work for others. Here are five stress management techniques that you can try.
Exercise Regularly
Staying active is always important. But it becomes even more critical as we age. Finding an exercise routine that’s right for you is essential for helping to manage stress. When we exercise, our bodies naturally produce cortisol (in healthy amounts). The more we exercise, the more our bodies adapt to effectively processing and dissipating cortisol.
Join a Support Group
No matter what you’re going through, you’re not alone. Sometimes sharing our burdens or struggles is just what’s needed to help lighten the load. And while it might sound cliché, support groups can help manage your stress by providing a safe place to work through things.
Practice Mindfulness & Meditation
Sometimes all it takes is a little bit of mindfulness to help bring stress levels down. But, of course, meditation will look different for everyone. For example, you might practice mindfulness sitting quietly. Or maybe you’d rather be a part of group meditation.
Stay Social
Isolation can be a senior’s biggest enemy, especially in the era of COVID-19. However, studies have shown that regular socialization with people that we love and care about is essential to help offset the effects of stress. So next time you’re feeling stressed, schedule a coffee date or bingo night with friends.
Stick to a Healthy Diet
Believe it or not, diet plays an essential role in helping to offset the effects of stress. Our brains and bodies need healthy, whole foods to keep everything functioning smoothly. So while it might be tempting to reach for that unhealthy “comfort” food when you’re stressed, it might be doing you more harm than good.
Opt for healthy, unprocessed foods filled with vitamins, fiber, and beneficial nutrients. Limit foods filled with nutritionally empty ingredients like sugar, salt, and oils.
Conclusion: Find a Stress Management Technique That Works for You
Long-term, chronic stress is hard on the body. Not only can it manifest in short-term symptoms, like headaches and insomnia, but it can also increase your chances of developing severe, long-term diseases. But the good news is that there are a variety of easy ways to manage your stress naturally. The key is to remember that it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution, and it might take a little bit of trial and error to find the stress management technique that works best for you.