Some of the hardest hours come at three in the morning, when a small concern about a bill or test result spirals. Plenty of older adults know it. Anxiety tends to rise around big transitions, such as giving up the car keys, moving to a smaller home, or losing a spouse. Managing stress and anxiety can feel harder during these changes, but coping skills can still be learned at any age. Senior Helpers offers practical ideas below for easing worry and bringing more calm into the week.
Keep Your Hands and Mind Busy
An idle mind grabs worries. Knitting, jigsaw puzzles, crossword books, piano, and tending tomatoes on the patio all ask for just enough focus to crowd out racing thoughts.
The hobby doesn't have to produce anything. Doodling on the back of an envelope works, and so does sorting old photos into albums, which brings back memories you can share with the grandkids on their next visit.
Getting outdoors helps as well. An hour among the gardens at the Huntington in San Marino, or a slow walk along the Arroyo Seco in Pasadena, gives you a change of scenery and fresh air on a bad day. Go early, before the afternoon sun gets strong, and bring a hat and a bottle of water, since the paths along the Arroyo have little shade in places and the valley heat can linger well into October and even early November.
Watch the Things That Feed Anxiety
Some habits quietly feed stress. Too much coffee is a common culprit. Late-night news scrolling is another, and so is sitting alone indoors for days at a stretch.
The Mayo Clinic explains how the body's fight-or-flight response works and how managing stress can help protect your health and relationships. Choose one change and try it for two weeks, like swapping the second cup of coffee for herbal tea or keeping the television off after dinner, then see how you feel.
Some anxiety comes from feeling out of control, which happens a lot after a move to a new apartment or a health scare that suddenly fills the calendar with appointments someone else scheduled for you. Small decisions can give some of that control back, whether it's planning the week's menu yourself or picking the day for the grocery run.
Talk It Through With Someone Trained to Listen
Some worries need a professional ear. Talk therapy, sometimes called psychotherapy, gives people a structured way to understand what's driving their anxiety and practice new ways of responding to it. The American Psychological Association explains what psychotherapy is and describes the main approaches psychologists use, and many therapists now meet with clients by video, which spares you the drive.
Tell your doctor about ongoing worry. Anxiety sometimes travels with sleep problems, pain, or medication side effects, and your doctor can look at the full picture. If you or someone you love is in crisis, call or text 988 at any hour.
Everyday Help in Pasadena, Altadena, and Nearby Communities
A caregiver can offer companionship, help with meals and errands, medication reminders, and a ride to that appointment you've been dreading. Senior Helpers Pasadena serves older adults and families in South Pasadena, Pasadena, San Marino, Altadena, and La Cañada Flintridge. We'd be glad to learn about your routine and what would ease the pressure. Contact us to learn how a friendly caregiver can help ease stress at home.