Fun fact: the older you get, the less stressed you tend to be. A Penn State research study found that 70-year-olds suffered stress 30% of the time, compared to 50% for those in their mid-20s.
Having said that, that doesn't mean being a senior isn't stressful. Stress and aging go hand in hand as people lose their fellows and come up against health challenges. What are the effects of stress on aging, and what senior stress management tips can alleviate it?
Today, we take a closer look at stress and its impact on mental health in the elderly. Seniors in Fremont, CA, near San Francisco's pleasant bay, will soon be better able to tackle their anxiety.
Stress and aging are so closely linked because the twilight years offer some of the biggest challenges a person will ever face. It might be hard to believe since old folks often seem so calm and cheery.
Nobody is ready for the experience of getting old. The effects of stress on aging take a toll on one's mental health, even those who always seem happiest. Let's take a look at just a few of the ways aging and anxiety are intertwined.
It's a sad but true reality. Seniors are often coping with grief as their similarly-aged family, peers, and loved ones pass away. That's simply the way of life once you hit your 60s, but that doesn't change the fact that it hurts.
Grief exhibits a literal physical toll on the body, according to UCLA. Part of this is, you guessed it, stress. Bereaved people may struggle to sleep and carry out their daily activities.
Bereavement also naturally makes people feel lonely. We humans are social animals after all, and it's rough losing the people we relate the most with. There are certainly opportunities to reflect on the meaning of life here, but it's stressful nonetheless.
With age comes joints that hurt, wounds that take longer to heal, and less energy throughout the day. Problems crop up seemingly at random. Heck, seniors may suddenly suffer from hearing loss, as one example.
Seeing one's body struggle with age is hard, especially if a senior has been in good health for most of their life. It can be frustrating not being able to walk, play, or even see like they used to -- and frustration is a form of stress.
Above all else, the hardest part is the decline in one's independence. Where once seniors could go about their daily lives with minimal assistance, they now require it for the smallest things. Seniors dislike the lack of autonomy and that also contributes to stress.
Just like the first day of school, many seniors need some adjustments to living in a community. There are things like:
It's a positive change, make no mistake. But it can still be difficult for the first little while.
The good news is that stress is a physiological reaction that you can control. You can make lifestyle changes, try relaxation techniques for seniors, take part in activities, and more. Once you learn what causes stress and how to manage it, it's no different than managing your blood sugar levels.
You'd be surprised how many small changes to your lifestyle can have big impacts on your stress level. For example, drinking too much coffee. It is well known that high caffeine intake can cause your heart to race and make you feel stress more acutely -- so maybe drink one cup less.
Seniors can take part in the lifestyle at Fremont Hills over their habitual activities. Morning news can be depressing, but a beauty salon visit is refreshing. Changing up your habitual daily activities could make you realize one of them was stressing you out.
Seniors should try to eliminate those aspects of their life that cause extra stress. Spending too long on social media, for example, is definitely not going to improve your outlook on the world. Limiting social media to weekends is a small change that could make a big difference.
Have you ever tried meditation? It may sound like silly, new-era mumbo jumbo, but it really does work. Meditation clears your mind and rewires your brain to be at peace with itself.
Try meditation for about ten minutes a day and see how you feel. Do the following:
Meditation aside, breathing exercises can help in stressful situations. Instead of blowing your top after losing a bingo game, try taking deep breaths and focusing on the breath going in and out. You'd be surprised how quickly it makes you feel calm and composed.
Stress is always at its worst when there's nothing else to distract from it. Having healthy, stimulating activities usually succeeds in freeing you from whatever's on your mind. Playing a card game or taking part in a reading group keeps your mind active, but not active concerning your troubles.
The packed activity calendar at Fremont Hills is the perfect antidote to stress. You might learn a new skill with a class. If you're a nature junkie, then take a trip to the Ozarks' beautiful parks just behind the community.
At the heart of this is making friends with new people. Who knows, you might find a listening ear for the turmoil that you're dealing with. In any case, spending time with people replaces internal anxiety with the calm of community.
Stress and aging are intertwined due to health difficulties and bereavement that come with getting up there. However, relaxation techniques can do a lot to ease a senior's concerns and troubles. Aside from this, lifestyle changes and keeping a busy schedule make stressors something one can bear.
Fremont Hills offers a stress-free community for seniors dealing with anxiety. Our gorgeous location of the 238 benefits from peaceful scenery, friendly staff, and a loaded activity calendar, so seniors have no time to worry. Reach out to us today to schedule a tour.