In today's fast-paced world, stress is something that everyone deals with. It can be challenging for seniors to manage additional stress levels due to physical or mental changes occurring as part of aging. Increased levels of stress have been linked to a variety of health problems, such as high blood pressure and heart disease, so seniors need to check in on themselves regularly. With these tips from Senior Helpers of Greater Dallas, learn to recognize signs of increased stress, assess your stress level, and use coping strategies when things get tough.
Recognizing Signs of Increased Stress
Stress manifests differently for different people, ranging from mild to severe. While you should know the symptoms of extreme stress, like panic attacks, difficulty breathing, chest pain or tightness, cognitive confusion, or memory problems, it's also helpful to pay attention to some of the subtler signs. These may include loss of appetite, disturbed sleep patterns, fatigue, or headaches. In seniors, it can be especially tricky to distinguish between chronic physical health issues and the onset of heightened stress levels.
How to Check In With Yourself and Assess Your Stress Levels
Since it can be more challenging for seniors to detect their stress levels, it's essential to check in regularly with yourself. It can be helpful to use a scale of 0 (no stress) to 10 (sustained intensity over an extended period). This can help gauge what level of stress you may be experiencing.
Consider keeping track in a journal. Studies indicate that journaling has mental health benefits. You can also try doing a mental assessment at the end of each day. Knowing your baseline can help identify fluctuations that might indicate increased levels of distress.
Questions to Ask Yourself to See How You Are Feeling
When determining your stress level, it can be a valuable exercise to ask yourself how you are currently feeling. Some sample questions could include:
- Are there any tensions or worries that I am noticing in my body?
- What impact might this anxiety have on my daily routine and activities?
- Am I able to manage the thoughts and feelings that come up, or do they overpower me?
Strategies for Dealing With Increased Stress
Try these strategies to help cope with increased stress:
Exercise
For seniors, physical activity can be a great way to cope with stress. Even light activities such as stretching and walking can help calm the body and mind. In addition, getting out in nature or spending time with an animal can further reduce stress levels as it increases relaxation hormones in the endocrine system.
Social Connections
Maintaining your social network is important for the overall well-being of any age group. Reaching out to family members regularly over video chat or phone calls strengthens the connection between you and your loved ones and can help you feel less anxious.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness practices have been shown in many studies to have positive effects on cognitive functioning, particularly among seniors. Focusing attention on sensory experiences within your immediate environment, like sound or sight, calms our fear-based impulses that often accompany feelings of distress by encouraging more mindful thinking habits rather than anxious, reactionary ones.
Professional Help
Sometimes, it might be necessary to seek assistance from a mental health professional. Therapists or psychiatrists can help determine the best way to reduce stress and improve your well-being.
Remember to be kind to yourself as you learn to decrease your stress levels. It can take time and patience.
Decrease Stress With In-home Caregiving Services From Senior Helpers of Greater Dallas
Senior Helpers of Greater Dallas provides personalized caregiving services for seniors. We are here to help throughout the Dallas, Richardson, Farmers Branch, University Park, Lakewood Area, Plano, Frisco, McKinney, Lewisville, Coppell, Allen, Dallas/Collin County, Tarrant/Denton County, Carrollton, The Colony, Highland Park, and Addison areas. Contact us for more information about our in-home senior services.