You’d think that once you retire and once the kids have graduated and are out making their own way, all the stresses you’ve been holding onto would just melt away and you’d enjoy full stress relief. Alas, the world is not so. Rather, every adult of every age is subject to feeling stressed from time to time. Common stressors for seniors include adapting to changing lifestyles, caring for sick loved ones, and worries about what to do should one become unable to live independently.
Understanding Stress & Its Impacts on Our Health
Having a little stress about life and one’s activities can sometimes be good, as it spurs us to action, and some studies show that a little stress can even improve memory. It’s a fine line, however, and significantly more studies point to sustained stress’s negative impacts on one’s physical health. This includes links between stress and increased risk of heart disease, a weakened immune system, and high blood pressure.
Recognizing the common signs of stress is the first step to acknowledging whether or not you need to actively look at methods to achieve stress relief. Such common signs include:
- Sudden or frequent mood swings, depression, or bursts of unexplained irritability
- Inability to concentrate
- Memory issues or a general increase in forgetfulness
- Insomnia or other sleep issues
- Withdrawing from hobbies and social activities
- Overheating or sudden loss of appetite
- Frequent tension headaches and/or heart palpitations
The Everyday Ways You Can Find Stress Relief
There are a lot of drug companies that’ll promise to fix your stress with just a couple of pills a day for all your days. The truth is that the best way to look at stress is as a symptom of an underlying problem. Acknowledge it and then find the problem you have and consider how you can shift it to improve your situation and outlook. People who keep a positive and upbeat outlook tend to be the best at managing their stress and finding stress relief. Not sure how to do that? Consider the following effective stress relief management tips:
- Find your stressors. You can’t face your stress until you acknowledge exactly what you’re stressing about. Consider the aforementioned symptoms and take a moment to write down all the things that might be causing you anxiety or stress. You might ask a loved one to talk with you and help you determine ways you might overcome your stressors.
- Stay active. Throw away the apples and instead buy yourself a solid pair of sneakers. Just thirty minutes of physical activity, such as walking, taking a fitness class, or swimming, will boost your mood and put you in a better place to tackle the stressful things on your mind.
- Keep and nurture social connections. When we have a lot of worries and anxieties on our mind, it’s common to want to shut out friends and family members as we try and deal with things on our own. Don’t! It’s our friends that often help us most when we’re going through difficult times. Whether it’s sharing your troubles or simply going out and having a laugh when you might otherwise have cried, those connections will prove to be a boon.
- Experiment with alternative stress relief therapies. Meditation, deep breathing exercises, and various yoga classes can all with releasing tension and reducing anxiety.
For a More Personalized Stress Relief Regimen, Contact Our Team
Are you looking for a more personalized diagnosis of your stress and related health symptoms? Then our team is here for you. Give us a call today to schedule your appointment and get on the way to stress relief.