We face mental stress in all stages of our lives, and stressors come from different sources. For older adults, stress is contributed by deaths of friends or family, chronic illnesses or deterioration in physical abilities, changes in lifestyle such as the inability to live independently, and worries about financial stability. Living in retirement communities in Phoenixville, PA, may help alleviate some of those stressors. For example, your financial concerns can be reduced with everything included in one monthly fee. With appropriate assistance, independent living is possible.
Excessive or chronic stress is undesirable as it can cause mental and even physical issues. Prolonged feelings of stress in older adults can contribute to losing appetite, social isolation, depression, heart diseases, diabetes, obesity, and high blood pressure. Thus, it is vital to understand stress and how to manage it. Below are some ways to cope with stress in retirement communities.
Deep Breaths and Meditate
An easy way is to take deep breaths when feeling stressed. For daily practice, sitting, relaxing, and breathing deeply in meditation is a great way to reduce stress in your or your loved one. Meditation, done alone or with friends, helps quieten your mind, allowing clarity in thoughts. A clear mind can better cope with life’s events and situations.
Do Some Exercises
According to research, any exercise improves older adults’ health and quality of life. Moving the body reduces stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline and releases endorphins, our body’s natural mood elevators. Exercising also improves sleep quality, which in turn helps to reduce stress. In a senior living community like Spring Mill Senior Living, there are activities provided by Dimensions Health and Fitness that include exercise sessions. The exercises are tailored for the residents, considering their physical abilities.
Art, Music, and Journaling
When it is hard to verbalize stress, expressing it on paper or moving through actions can prove to be therapeutic. Activities such as journaling and doing art are effective in helping you or your loved one move through the emotions that come along with stress. It also helps the creator gain perspective and may inspire solutions to problems. Older adults can have a journal to record their thoughts, or they may even start with a gratitude journal. This may help them learn to pick out and appreciate the good they have in their lives.
Music has the ability to make people feel more relaxed and less anxious and even help improve self-esteem. It may even inspire some older adults to dance along. With many music apps in the market, creating a personalized playlist for you or your loved one to use is simple.
Volunteer
When feeling like life has lost its meaning, spending time volunteering opens up new experiences and may help you or your loved ones regain that sense of purpose. Volunteering puts your life’s experiences and skills into good use. It also keeps you physically active and provides mental stimulation to keep you mentally alert. Look for retirement communities that include volunteering in their events calendar.
