How Does Stress Affect Seniors and What to Do

Did you know that stress is one of the biggest mental issues affecting up to half of the elderly population? There are unique stressors in a senior's life that have lasting detrimental effects on their well-being.

We're here to explain what those harmful effects are and how managing stress is a crucial step toward alleviating these problems for seniors.

Keep reading to learn everything you need to lessen the stress during your retirement!

Effects of Stress on Older Adults

It's often easy to belittle the stress we feel in our lives. We tell ourselves that everyone feels stressed sometimes and we try to move on. However, when stress becomes too much, it can affect your health in a lot of damaging ways.

Physical

Have you felt lethargic lately? Have you had trouble sleeping or eating?

These could be symptoms of excessive stress in your life. If left to worsen, the stress you feel could even affect other medical problems.

Stress commonly shows itself in the following physical symptoms:

Changes in appetite
Changes in energy levels
Headaches
Heightened pain
Muscle tension
Indigestion
Chest pains
Heart palpitations

Mental

The biggest issue with mental symptoms is that they can fester slowly so you don't realize they're a problem until they're overwhelming. Managing stress in elderly people means recognizing the symptoms early so you can take steps to combat the stress before it reaches that point.

Stress commonly shows itself in the following mental symptoms:

Depression
Anxiety
Irritability
Restlessness
Heightened worries
Poor concentration
Memory issues
Intrusive thoughts

Social

Many people don't realize that stress can affect your social well-being as much as physical and mental. The three work together to aid in your overall health, so it's vital to recognize social issues as well. In many cases, you'll be able to notice the changes in your social life before physical or mental symptoms arise.

Stress commonly shows itself in the following social symptoms:

Self-imposed isolation
Avoiding eye contact
Staying inside your living quarters
Avoiding activities you love
Ignoring attempts at conversation

Senior Stress Reduction Techniques

The good news is that you're already being proactive in protecting yourself from the above symptoms by reading about our elderly stress management advice. There are several actionable things you can do right now that will help lower the stress in your life.

Lifestyle Adjustments

When stress starts to rise, it's often a good idea to take a close look at our lifestyle. Have there been changes to your routine? Are you getting enough exercise or drinking enough water?

Without a strong foundation of health, it's easy for stress to take over.

Re-evaluate your routine and focus on making healthy choices throughout the day. Go out for walks or try going to bed an hour or two earlier than normal. Pick healthier meals to boost your intake of vitamins and minerals.

These things can take time and effort to implement, but you'll feel the positive influence immediately. One step forward towards a better well-being is all it takes to keep going.

If you're uncertain what to change, speak to your doctor or community staff for further advice.

Create a Support System

Everyone needs help from time to time. When stress is a big presence in your life, your need for a support system is even greater.

The key to a good support system is to find people you feel comfortable talking to about difficult subjects. Start by talking with other seniors in your community who may have similar problems. You'll be able to encourage and console each other during your journey to a stress-free life.

Reaching out to family members is also a chance to socialize and strengthen relationships with people who love you.

Sometimes the best thing to do is to talk with people who know how to support stressed seniors. Look into seeing a therapist if you prefer the idea of getting the advice of a licensed professional.

No matter which support system you choose, never be afraid to rely on them when things feel tough.

Deep Breathing

It's not uncommon for people to roll their eyes at the idea of meditation and deep breathing until they try it for themselves. The truth is that deep breathing gives you many benefits, with destressing being at the top of that list.

The best part is that you don't need to do much to achieve those benefits. You don't need training or to learn special skills to practice meditative breathing.

Here is one of the easiest ways to perform deep breathing exercises:

Find a comfortable position and close your eyes
Take in a deep breath
As you slowly exhale, hum at the same time
Focus on the vibrations and try to relax your body more with each breath
Keep repeating until you feel centered again

Adjust the routine until it suits your preferences. Some people like to listen to soft music while deep breathing, whereas others need complete silence. There's no wrong way as long as it helps you to let go of some stress.

New Activities

Preventative measures to stop stress from ever taking hold is to keep yourself busy with exciting senior activities and hobbies. You'll get to have a fun time while creating an art piece or interacting with friends.

When you have these things to look forward to, it's difficult for stress to weigh you down too much.

If stress is already affecting you, trying something new can help break you out of that downward spiral. It'll take extra effort to start, but soon you'll feel excited to go out and be engaged in the activity.

Managing Stress With Our Community in Vineland, NJ

When you have a strong community by your side, managing stress becomes much easier for everyone. That's why it's vital to find a community that focuses on your well-being with personalized care.

When you join Baker Place Assisted Living, you're joining a community that gives each resident the individual care they deserve. We offer a welcoming atmosphere and a variety of activities to keep you feeling stress-free and comfortable without taking away your independence. Contact us today and we can begin creating your personal care plan together!