Tips on Coping with Stress for Senior Women
Life as a senior can feel pretty stressful. Right now is a challenging time to be alive for anyone, but life can feel particularly tough as a senior. There are health issues, finances, and family and friends to consider, all while the global pandemic continues to spread.
Credit: Cristian Rojas via Pexels
Do you often feel overwhelmed by the weight of the world? Whether it’s due to aching joints from arthritis or managing a family issue, stress is a fundamental factor in your life. Read on to discover these tips on coping with the ongoing stresses of daily life as a woman in your senior years.
Identifying Stress
Perhaps you’re not entirely sure that what you experience can classify as stress. Your body will let you know when you’re going through a stressful time, kind of like an alarm clock or alert system. If you have stress, you’ll likely experience the following bodily sensations:
- Rapid heart rate
- Heightened muscle tension
- Fast breathing
- Insomnia
- Restlessness
- Increased blood pressure
And that’s not all. Untreated stress can cause harm in the body — from headaches to gastrointestinal problems to depression. If you recognize any of those symptoms, there’s a chance that what you’re experiencing is stress.
Fitness
Exercising isn’t only beneficial for your physical health, but it’s also incredible for your brain. Moving your body has direct stress-busting advantages because it enhances your endorphins, the hormones responsible for making us feel happy. Incorporating fitness activities into your routine will help you sleep better, think clearly, and feel good.
However, as a senior, exercise isn’t always easy to tackle. You may have mobility issues or another type of serious condition that prevents you from moving too quickly or forcefully. Fortunately, you can exercise effectively without breaking your entire body. Consider chair yoga or daily walks around the block. Devoting ten minutes a day to your body will do you a world of good.
Meditation
Meditation isn’t necessarily something you can ease into right away. It takes practice and commitment. But once you get into the swing of things, meditation can help clear your mind and focus on tackling the challenges in your life. Consider sitting in silence, in a comfortable seat, for five minutes each morning.
You don’t need fancy accessories, like music or a mat; all you need is a place to sit or lie down comfortably and quietly. The more you do this, the easier it will become for your intrusive thoughts to drift away.
Ask for Help
When it comes to stress coping mechanisms, reaching out for help can be a game-changer. Having someone help you around the house and with your medical needs can alleviate an incredible amount of anxiety.
Contact a home healthcare service provider such as Integracare — they specialize in senior care and provide professional nurses and caregivers to assist around the house. With a home caregiver, you’ll have so much less to worry about. Instead of thinking about cleaning or managing prescriptions, you’ll be able to focus on other matters because your caregiver will handle those other issues for you.
If you don’t address it head-on, stress can become debilitating. But by getting enough exercise, meditating, and getting some help around the house, you’ll feel much calmer in no time.
