Stress Awareness Month: Tips for Escanaba Seniors to Stay Healthy
According to The American Institute of Stress, 44% of adults between the ages of 50 and 80 feel stressed. Stress can accelerate the aging process, affecting your health and quality of life.
Use this Stress Awareness Month to improve your senior mental health for the better. Applying stress reduction techniques can lower cortisol and inflammation, improving your well-being.
Unsure of where to start? Read on to learn more!
What Is Stress?
Stress is a reaction to difficult circumstances. When stressed, our bodies trigger a fight-or-flight response. This can result in physical, behavioral, and emotional symptoms.
Your body is designed to experience and react to stress. It can keep us alert and motivated as we respond to danger. Excessive, chronic stress, however, can affect our health and longevity.
Living in a comfortable senior living community in Escanaba, MI, could help you combat stress. Known for its beautiful scenery, LakeHouse Escanaba is located on the Escanaba River in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. You can enjoy the soothing environment, which features lighthouses and waterfalls.
Causes of Stress
Many circumstances can cause stress, including:
- An illness
- The death of a loved one
- Retiring
- Moving
- Financial instability
Older adults are likely to encounter a different set of triggers than other adults. This may include major life changes like retirement or the loss of a spouse.
Symptoms of Stress
Learning how to recognize the symptoms of stress will allow you to take action to improve your emotional wellness in aging. These symptoms may include:
- Difficulty sleeping
- Digestive issues
- Headaches
- Irritability
- Social withdrawal
- Crying
- Difficulty concentrating
- Heart palpitations
Individuals may experience many symptoms or just one. If you experience these symptoms, don't hesitate to consult a doctor.
Stress can be acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term). Acute stress comes and goes quickly, while chronic stress can last for weeks or months. Failing to manage chronic stress can lead to serious health complications.
Connecting Stress and Aging
According to the National Council on Aging, stress may affect seniors more than other adults. Chronic stress can trigger an inflammatory response, which may cause:
- Pain
- Frequent infections
- Weight gain or loss
- Gastrointestinal issues
- Constant fatigue
- Insomnia
- Anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders
Chronic inflammation is associated with arthritis, cardiovascular issues, neurodegenerative conditions, and other age-related conditions.
More stress can cause more inflammation, while inflammation can worsen health problems. These include dementia, type 2 diabetes, and cancer. Stress also accelerates the actual aging process.
Stress Reduction Techniques
Use Stress Awareness Month as an opportunity to take control of your senior mental health. Here are a few stress reduction techniques that may help. Try a few different methods to determine what works best for you.
Take Control
Identify the root cause of your stress, whether it's an acute or chronic stressor. Take control by removing the stressor from your life.
For example, perhaps you find living in and taking care of a house alone stressful. Consider moving into a senior living community. You can rely on an experienced staff while living in comfortable accommodations.
Don't hesitate to ask for help. Working with a mental health care professional can help you make effective changes in your life.
For example, perhaps you have a difficult time coping with stress. They can recommend treatments and relaxation tips for older adults. A therapist may recommend:
- Talk therapy/counseling
- Medication
- Social support
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
Try connecting with other seniors in your Escanaba senior living community. Building a support group can reduce feelings of isolation. Otherwise, social isolation can increase your risk of anxiety and depression.
Explore your senior living community's activities calendar for opportunities to socialize. Engaging in creative activities alongside friends may alleviate stress.
Eat Well
Eating a healthy, balanced diet can ensure your body has the vitamins and minerals it needs. Foods that may help combat stress include:
- Matcha
- Sweet potatoes
- Kimchi
- Eggs
- Fatty fish
- Sunflower seeds
- Chamomile tea
- Chickpeas
- Blueberries
Choose foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and magnesium. These foods can help improve your mood and energy levels.
Limit your intake of alcohol, processed foods, and sugary snacks. These foods may deplete your energy stores and trigger inflammatory responses.
Don't forget to stay hydrated. Drinking water can improve your brain performance and digestion. It may provide an energy boost, allowing you to better combat stress.
Shopping for ingredients, meal prepping, and cooking can become stressful. Instead, rely on your senior living community's dining program. You can work with experts to develop a personalized plan based on your food preferences and dietary needs.
Exercise Regularly
Daily exercise can improve your mood and combat stress. Explore your senior living community's wellness program to discover classes, including:
- Stretching
- Tai chi
- Pilates
- Yoga
- Water aerobics
- Hiking
- Strength training
These activities may help improve your cognitive function and energy levels. Other senior mental health benefits may include:
- Reduced feelings of depression and anxiety
- Released endorphins (improving mood)
- Improved memory and attention
- Enhanced social interaction
Exercising could lower your risk of type 2 diabetes, stroke, and heart disease.
Relaxation Techniques for Older Adults
Take a break and prioritize self-care before you experience burnout. Add relaxation techniques for older adults to your routine, such as:
- Positive visualization
- Guided meditation
- Gratitude
- Deep breathing
- Progressive muscle relaxation
Meditation and mindfulness practices will help you remain rooted in the present. This will shift your attention away from stressful thoughts. Mindfulness for seniors may reduce your anxiety, improving your overall well-being.
These techniques can slow your heart rate and ease racing thoughts. Adding these techniques to your routine may improve your overall well-being.
Celebrate Stress Awareness Month
Acknowledge Stress Awareness Month this year by prioritizing your senior mental health. Remember, you don't have to apply these stress reduction techniques alone. Instead, turn to your Escanaba, MI, senior living community.
Our team at LakeHouse Escanaba provides thoughtful care in a welcoming environment. Our individual care plans, coordination of care, and an array of amenities can help you make the most of your golden years. Enjoy LakeHouse Escanaba's cozy home-like apartments and engaging social activities, designed with your enjoyment, convenience, and comfort in mind.
Want to reduce stress while thriving in mind, body, and spirit? Contact us now to schedule your tour.