Stress and Aging: How Camby Seniors Can Stay Healthy Longer
According to a University of Michigan poll, 33% of adults in their 50s feel highly stressed. About 18% in their 60s and 13% of adults 70 and older have high stress levels.
Stress can have a big impact on senior mental health. Consider moving into Camby, Indiana, Worthington Place Assisted Living; a community that provides simple-living charm with big city amenities that can ease your stress.
What exactly is the connection between stress and aging, and how can you cope to improve your quality of life? Read on to find out!
What Is Stress?
Stress is a reaction to difficult situations. It can trigger our fight-or-flight response, causing both emotional and physical symptoms.
Common causes of stress include:
- Financial insecurity
- Chronic illness
- Loss and grief
- Boredom, loneliness, and social isolation
- Major life changes (moving, retirement, etc.)
Everyone responds to stressful situations differently. Common effects of stress on senior mental health include:
- Social withdrawal
- Poor concentration
- Crying
- Irritability
- Headaches
- Digestive issues
- Heart palpitations
- Difficulty sleeping
People often make excuses for these symptoms. Chronic stress, however, can have a detrimental impact on your quality of life and health. If you experience these symptoms, consult a doctor.
Stress and Aging
During a stressful situation, the body releases stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. In the short term, these hormones boost our energy and help us focus on navigating the problem.
Long-term stress, however, can cause harmful hormonal imbalances. According to the American Psychological Association, long-term stress puts your body on high alert, increasing your risk of:
- Heart disease
- Weight gain
- Stroke
- Digestive issues
When adrenaline constantly pumps through the body, blood vessels become constricted. This can affect your vision and hearing.
Your brain will lose the ability to regulate these stress hormones over time. People who struggle with long-term stress often develop unhealthy lifestyle habits that can further affect their health.
There's a connection between aging and stress. In fact, stress can affect older adults more than others.
Cellular Damage
Stress affects our cells. It can break down the protective "caps" at the end of DNA chromosomes (telomeres). While this is a natural process, it can become expedited when we're under stress.
Shortened telomeres are associated with:
- Diabetes
- Cancer
- Cardiovascular disease
- Parkinson's disease
Long-term stress also causes oxidative stress, which can damage DNA, cells, and proteins. This can cause premature aging.
In short, what's the connection between stress and aging? Without proper management, stress can accelerate aging, which causes stress, triggering a vicious cycle.
Senior Mental Health Tips
Prioritizing your senior mental health can benefit your overall health and well-being. Here are a few tips for improved cognitive health for older adults.
Relaxation Techniques for Seniors
According to the New York Post, US adults only feel relaxed about 40 minutes a day. About 47% claim they get even fewer moments of peace than that. Make time to find peace every day.
Consider picking up relaxation techniques for seniors to relieve your stress. These may include:
- Meditation
- Positive visualization
- Deep breathing
- Gratitude practices
A regular relaxation practice may help relieve your tense muscles and slow your heart rate. The next time you feel stressed, use these techniques to calm your racing thoughts.
Explore your senior living community's wellness program for classes. Otherwise, use a meditation app or gratitude journal to make it part of your routine.
Wellness in Senior Living
Consider moving into a senior living community that offers wellness programs. This may cover:
- Exercise
- Dining
- Socializing
- Engaging activities
You can live in comfort, improve your health, and enjoy your golden years with friends. Look for a community that offers comfortable living options. Getting seven to nine hours of sleep can prevent memory problems and improve your resiliency to stress.
Here are a few other ways seniors improve their wellness in senior living communities.
Exercise
Try to dedicate 30 minutes of your day to exercising. Regular exercise can:
- Boost your mood
- Combat chronic illnesses
- Ease pain symptoms
- Lower your blood pressure
Your senior living community may have walking or hiking groups. Consider expanding your exercise routine with strength training or tai chi.
Activities like tai chi, yoga, and pilates may help relieve stress. They may strengthen the mind and body, improving your resilience to stressful situations.
Ask your friends to join you! Exercising alongside friends can make it more enjoyable. They can hold you accountable to make it part of your routine.
Diet
As you get older, your metabolism slows down. You'll need fewer calories than before but more of certain nutrients.
Eating a healthy, balanced diet may help prevent certain diseases. This includes:
- Cancer
- Type 2 diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Osteoporosis
- Heart disease
A healthy diet may help you live longer, boost your immunity, and strengthen your bones. Explore your senior living community's dining program. With help, you can develop a customized meal plan based on your preferences and dietary needs.
Talk to a specialist about meal plans like the MIND diet. This diet may help reduce your risk of Alzheimer's and cognitive decline.
Activities
The next time you feel stressed, take a break. Keep your mind active and distracted by exploring engaging activities like:
- Crocheting or knitting
- Puzzles
- Gardening
- Playing an instrument
- Dancing
- Learning a new language
- Painting or drawing
These activities can improve cognitive health for older adults. Explore your senior living community's events calendar. You can find brain-stimulating activities to build new neural pathways.
This can improve your memory while potentially preventing Alzheimer's disease and dementia.
Build a Support System
Social isolation and loneliness can contribute to your stress, causing:
- Weakened immune systems
- Cognitive decline
- Alzheimer's disease
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure
- Obesity
Instead of isolating yourself, build a support system. Spend time with friends and family members to combat loneliness and boost your mood.
If you have recently lost a loved one, explore your senior living community. They may offer access to support groups that can help.
Discover Aging and Stress Care
Prioritizing stress and aging management can improve your longevity and quality of life. Remember, moving into a senior living community can make a major difference.
Consider Worthington Place Assisted Living in Camby, Indiana. We develop individual care plans for each resident.
Enjoy our coordination of care, exclusive programs, and comfortable living options. Contact us now to schedule a tour.