Five Tips for Managing Senior Stress (and Why It’s Important!)

It seems like the golden years should be stress-free, but the truth is that seniors experience stress just like younger people do. The reasons are often different, illness, disability, or death of a spouse. But, just like younger people, there are strategies that older people can use to manage stress. Knowing the importance of managing stress for seniors and how to do it can help family caregivers to enable their aging loved ones to live more stress-free.

Home Health Care in East Quogue NY: Managing Senior Stress

The Ill Effects of Stress…

You probably know that stress can affect the way a person acts or their mood, but it also has physical effects on the body.

Stress can cause:
-Headaches.
-Chest pain.
-Sleep problems.
-High blood pressure.
-Stomach upset.

Five Stress Management Tips

There are lots of ways seniors can reduce stress. Often people recommend things like breathing exercises and exercise to de-stress. And, those are great suggestions. But, here are some more unconventional ideas that may work well for seniors, especially those with limited mobility.

Watch Fish: –Sitting in front of a fish tank watching colorful fish swim about can be very relaxing. In fact, Purdue University performed a study involving Alzheimer’s patients and aquariums that showed watching fish helped the patients to be calmer and more alert.

Take Up a Hobby: –Making crafts, learning to dance, or taking a class can reduce stress by giving seniors something else to focus on.

Do Puzzles: -Puzzles that engage the brain, like crossword puzzles and sudoku, are excellent stress relievers for older adults who are unable to move on from something that is bothering them. They require concentration, making it harder for the person to think about a negative situation.

Grow a Bonsai Tree: –Caring for a tiny, beautiful bonsai tree is almost a meditative practice. The task is ongoing since the tree requires care and pruning for as long as it lives.

Repetitive Tasks: –Things that require doing the same thing over and over, like folding laundry or shelling peas, can be relaxing for seniors who have dementia or Alzheimer’s. The tasks are simple enough for them to do, so they are not frustrating, and the repetition is soothing.

Senior Care Providers Can Help with Stress Management

If your aging family member suffers from stress, a senior care provider can make a real difference. Senior care providers can engage older adults in relaxing activities like the ones listed above when they notice signs of stress. In addition, just having someone else around can prevent seniors from spending time thinking about the things that cause them stress. A senior care provider is like a friend and a helper al in one!

If you or an aging loved one is considering hiring home health care in East Quogue, NY, call the caring staff at Artful Home Care today at 631-685-5001.

Sources
https://www.verywell.com/stress-management-for-senior-health-3144930
https://www.apa.org/pi/aging/09-33-coping-with-stress-fin.pdf
http://www.elder-one-stop.com/stress-activities.html
https://www.webmd.com/balance/stress-management/effects-of-stress-on-your-body