Stress affects people of all ages, including seniors. Physical and mental impairments as well as financial struggles and loneliness often lead to high stress levels for older adults. Since chronic stress can lead to a number of serious health complications like heart disease, anxiety, and depression, it’s essential for seniors to control it. Fortunately, there are a variety of ways older adults can reduce their stress and lead a higher quality of life. Here are five stress reduction tips for seniors.
1. Exercise Regularly
Time after time, research proves that regular physical activity can keep stress levels to a minimum. It also offers other important benefits for seniors such as weight loss, increased lung capacity, and stronger bones.
Even 30-minutes of low-impact exercise every day can keep them happy and healthy. Older adults can walk around the neighborhood, go for a swim, garden, take a yoga class, jump rope…the possibilities are endless.
2. Practice Gratitude
When older adults are feeling overwhelmed, gratitude can help. It’s a good idea for them to keep a gratitude journal. Every day, they can use it to jot down something they are thankful for.
Whenever they’re stressed, they can open the journal and remind themselves of all the positivity in their life. Their journal can help them realize that even though life gets difficult sometimes, there is still so much to smile about.
3. Breathe Deeply
Deep breathing exercises are a fast and effective way for older adults to relieve stress. They can calm their minds and relieve any tension they may be facing. To perform them, seniors should sit down in a quiet place, take ten deep breaths, and inhale and exhale slowly. Older adults will find that slow, controlled breathing will give them the opportunity to relax and take their attention away from their daily stressors.
4. Get Outdoors
One of the best ways for seniors to reduce stress and lower cortisol levels is to spend time outside. As long as the weather is nice, they should take a walk in the park or even sit outside in a comfortable place and simply take in the beauty of nature. If the weather isn’t the best, older adults may find relief from stress just by looking at pictures of trees, the sky, and sunshine.
5. Soak in a Bubble Bath
A bubble bath can allow seniors to recreate the spa experience in the comfort of their own home. They can play their favorite music and soak in a tub with bubbles or Epsom salt. The water should be warm, not hot so that seniors feel comfortable rather than risk burns and dizziness.
Contact Bailah Home Care Today
If you have further questions on how to manage senior stress levels or are interested in our home care services in Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Potomac and nearby areas in Maryland, don’t hesitate to contact us today. We look forward to hearing from you!
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