Managing stress is very important for seniors. When seniors have too much stress it can impact both their physical and mental health. When seniors are stressed their hearts beat faster, their breathing increases, and the body is flooded with hormones like cortisol that are released by the body to help manage stress.
If they have too much stress or stay stressed for a long time, those hormones can end up causing inflammation, weight gain, and lots of other problems in the body. Some stress can’t be avoided, but seniors can do things that will lower their stress and make reduce their anxiety.
Companion Care at Home
One of things that causes a lot of stress for seniors is being alone. Loneliness has been called an epidemic among seniors. Companion care at home can relieve the stress and anxiety associated with loneliness.
Seniors that have companion care at home have someone in their homes with them to talk with, share meals with, and go places with. Some other easy ways that seniors can reduce their stress include:
Deep Breathing
There are lots of breathing exercises that can help seniors focus their anxiety, reduce stress, and feel calmer. Taking ten slow deep breaths can be a fantastic way for seniors to deal with acute stress and panic attacks.
Seniors who have companion care at home can practice breathing exercises with their caregiver so that when they are feeling too stressed they can immediately start a deep breathing exercise. Deep meditative breathing has been shown to help seniors manage stress.
Listening to Music
Another thing that seniors can do to lower their stress levels in just a few minutes is listen to music. Music can soothe, energize, and inspire people. Seniors who spend 15 minutes or so listening to light classical music, meditation music, or other soothing music will feel calmer and will be better able to handle stress.
Listening to calming music at night is a fantastic way for seniors to let go of the stress of the day before they go to sleep. Some seniors also like to play meditative music while they sleep.
Moving
The body has a physical response to stress. That’s why when seniors feel a lot of stress they often complain about muscle stiffness, fast heartbeat, and other physical symptoms. Moving can help stop those reactions and reduce the physical impact of stress on the body.
Going for a walk around the block is a fantastic way to bust stress because the physical movement and being outside can calm the body’s stress response and reduce a senior’s anxiety. If going for a walk instead an option walking in place or just walking around the house can help. Anything that involves movement is good.
Keeping a Worry Journal
Seniors can reduce stress at bedtime by keeping a worry journal. For fifteen minutes seniors can use stream of consciousness writing to write out all of their fears and anything that is stressing them out or scaring them. By getting it out of their heads and onto the page seniors will be able to sleep better at night.
If you or an aging loved-one is considering Companion Care at Home in Verona, WI please contact the caring staff at Agape Senior Services Madison today. (608) 841-1004
