The holidays can be a wonderful time, but they can also bring stress to your senior loved one.
If you are noticing signs of stress in your senior loved one, you might be wondering how to help them find some release!
The good news is that there are a few warning signs to look for when it comes to stress – and there are several things you can do to help manage it.
Stress can manifest in many ways and it’s important to keep it in check – no matter what your age. So, what is stress? Stress is simply your body’s response to something that disturbs your physical or mental state. It can show up as increased heart rate, difficulty eating or sleeping, a lower immune response, high blood pressure, withdrawal from daily activities and anger or sadness.
While stress can be helpful in certain situations, like if you are in danger, it also can hurt long term if it goes unchecked, causing heart disease, diabetes, headaches and more.
So, what can you do to help a senior loved one who seems stressed? Here are a few things to try:
- Bring in mindfulness. This can help calm your mind and stay in the present. You can do this by meditation, talking to a trusted friend of relative or simply practicing deep breathing.
- Exercise. Movement can help manage stress because the body can hold on to tension in muscles and joints. Taking a quick stroll, doing some stretching or even just shaking out your limbs can help!
- Touch. You don’t need to get a full body massage, but touch can help manage stress. Even just a quick hug helps!
- Social time. Being around friends and loved ones can help manage stress, as isolation has proven to be very stressful for older people. Having loving relationships and a bond with other humans is critical – from birth through your golden years.
- Good nutrition. Eating foods that aren’t nutrient dense can cause stress, so it’s important to eat a balanced diet – which can be hard during the holidays. Try to add a fruit or vegetable to every meal and make sure to drink enough water!
Abbington Assisted Living
At Abbington, our mission is to increase the independence and quality of life of each resident by providing care with respect, compassion and dignity in a safe, comfortable environment. Heart health is one issue of many for a long life. If you want to learn more about us or schedule a tour, contact us today.