Blog

Apr 14, 2020

Although stress can affect people at any age and these tips could apply to anyone, older people are more susceptible to health issues which makes it even more important that they take steps to reduce their stress.

Older Adults Should Practice Mindfulness

Mindfulness is all about calming your mind, which is one of the best ways to reduce stress. Oftentimes stress is caused by thinking about too many things at once whether that be your daily responsibilities, finances, or when to take your medication.

One method of mindfulness is meditation. Meditation allows you to calm your mind by focusing your body, usually your own breathing. By focusing on your breathing you can drive out all the other thoughts that are taking up space in your mind. 

You can feel the stress washing away as you meditate — allowing you to start fresh and focus on your next steps. It won’t make your responsibilities go away, but it can help older adults manage them.

Exercising Is An Important Part of An Older Person’s Life

Exercise keeps older adults physically healthy and for several reasons mentally fit as well. 

On a chemical basis, exercise reduces levels of the body’s stress hormones, like adrenaline and cortisol. It also stimulates the production of endorphins, which act as the body’s natural painkillers and mood elevators.

Exercise also produces behavioral effects once you start looking and feeling better. This increases your overall outlook about yourself and your confidence. 

Community Reduces Stress

With age typically comes the loss of senses like hearing and site as well as a decrease in memory. Oftentimes this results in a feeling of isolation which leads to stress, anxiety and depression.

Luckily, there are methods of connecting with others even when you can’t do it in person. Technology like FaceTime, Zoom, and Skype all provide ways to connect “face to face” with other people.

This connection can go a long way in reducing the stress of older individuals by allowing them the opportunity to laugh with others or to just vent their frustrations. 

Reduce Stress in Older Adults

It’s important to control stress levels because they can have negative effects both physically and mentally. With older adults already being more susceptible to health issues it’s important to reduce risks where ever possible. 

If you’re caring for an older person make sure they take the time to relax and take care of their mental health. The same goes for you as well.