Whether you are young or old, chances are you have experienced stress at one point or another.
In fact, according to statistics gathered by the American Institute of Stress, nearly 77% of Americans regularly experience physical symptoms caused by stress while 73% regularly experience psychological symptoms caused by stress.
Considering how prevalent of an issue stress is, in 1993 the Stress Management Society established National Stress Awareness Month. During this month-long awareness campaign that takes place annually in April, healthcare professionals and stress management experts across the nation join forces to raise awareness of stress, its side effects and how to manage it in your life.
Even though stress is considered a normal part of life, it can be dangerous if it is not managed appropriately. It is especially dangerous for vulnerable populations such as our elderly loved ones.
Not only does stress increase their risk for heart disease by 40%, heart attacks by 25% and strokes by 50%, stress is “widely believed to accelerate biologic aging”. Further, many studies have confirmed the negative effects of stress on immune system function and hidden inflammation.
This is why stress has become known as the “Silent Killer”.
Fortunately, there are steps you can take to help your elderly loved one reduce and safely manage the stress they experience. Keep reading, it could save their life.
The Signs
The first step to helping your elderly loved one reduce stress is to have an understanding of the warning signs and behavior to be on the lookout for. Catching and mitigating stress in its early stages is critical for success. Here’s what to watch out for:
- Sudden isolation and refusal to socialize
- Loss of desire to partake in activities they used to enjoy
- Changes in sleeping patterns
- Increased bodily aches, pains, and illnesses
- Change in appetite
- Mood swings and irritability
Although, this list is not exhaustive the above changes typically manifest in seniors experiencing stress.
How to Help Your Loved One Manage Their Stress
Now that you have an idea of what to be on the lookout for, below are 7 ways you can help your elderly loved one manage the stress.
Encourage them to Exercise
Exercising on a regular basis kills two birds with one stone. Not only will it help your elderly loved one increase their physical health, the endorphins released in their body during the exercise help fight off the stress.
Find Short Term Solutions
As we age, we start to experience a lot of changes with our health, living situations, losing friends, and work situations. All of these changes cumulate and can create a lot of stress. Have your elder right down all of their worries, then focus on taking a little time each day to find a short-term solution and chip away at the stress.
Meditate
Don’t worry, you don’t need to find your elderly loved one a guru to help them find Zen. All you need is a peaceful, comfortable, and quiet place. Then have them practice deep breathing. During this time, encourage them to simply breathe, relax and find a quiet inner place to gather their thoughts.
Invest in House Plants
Many studies have found that having and taking care of house plants can help reduce stress in our lives. Scientifically speaking, the house plants “boost your mood by releasing cytokines, which then leads your brain to produce more serotonin.”
Make Sure They Hydrate
Did you know that cortisol is a stress hormone? Being dehydrated by just a few cups can increase your cortisol levels. Making sure your loved one drinks enough water each day can help reduce their stress. Men need about 13 cups, while women need 9 cups.
Spend time with a Pet
There’s no denying that playing with, petting or snuggling a pet is cathartic and stress relieving. If your loved one doesn’t have a pet of their own, many communities have visiting pet programs just for this reason.
Restoring Hope, LLC Can Help
If your elderly loved one is still experiencing stress, it may be time to consider a new living situation for them.
Here at Restoring Hope, we are committed to helping you find Mom or Dad an adult family home that best fits their needs. Best of all, it’s free.
Click the button below to schedule your free consultation.
