We all face challenges in our day-to-day life and sometimes they become too much for us to handle. We feel overwhelmed and question if we will ever get through. Anything that poses some sort of challenge to our well-being is a stress. Stress is defined as the wear and tear placed on the body by constant adjustment to an individual’s changing environment.

Stress is a common factor in life. Adults feel the stress of working long hours, paying bills, raising children and maintaining the household. Even retirees that have raised their children and paid off their homes and cars can feel the stress of daily life.

Reasons Seniors Have Stress

As you age, your body goes through many changes and those changes in turn cause stress. Aging wears down the systems in the brain that responds to stressors making it harder to achieve relaxation after the event. New challenges arise as you age and those challenges can be worrisome. Some common challenges that can lead to short-term and long-term stress in adults as they age may include:

• Physical limitations
• Financial concerns
• Retirement
• Medical conditions

Common Symptom and Signs of Stress

Although stress affects individuals in different ways it is important to recognize the common symptoms. If you are feeling stressed you may have experienced the following:

• Worry and anxiety
• Panic attacks
• Headaches or Chest pain
• Irritability and Mood swings
• Difficulty concentrating
• Eating too much or too little
• Difficulty sleeping
• Allergic reactions, such as skin rash or hives

Ways Seniors Can De-Stress

It can be overwhelming, but there are many ways to help alleviate it and live life to the fullest. If you are feeling stress and are looking for a way to de-stress, try one of the following:

• Read words of inspiration- inspiration is all around us, we just have to find it. If you are having trouble finding words of inspiration, Google “inspirational images” and several images of inspirational quotes, verses and pictures will appear.
• Find a short-term solution to your problem- Many of the challenges we face in life can be solved with a simple yet small solution. Write down your problem and list the possible solutions and utilize them the next time the problem arises.
• Meditate- Choose a comfortable, quiet place in your home or your favorite place and practice some deep breathing. Clear your mind as you take in several deep breaths until a sense of calmness surrounds you.
• Play with a Pet- Take a walk with your dog or cuddle with your cat. Pets offer comfort to their owners because they love you no matter how stressed you may be and they are known for their ability to improve mental well-being.  Here is our list of the 8 best dog breeds for seniors.
• Make your well-being a priority- Take care of yourself and don’t let yourself fall into stressful habits. Develop healthy eating habits, exercise daily to refresh your mood, make strength training a part of weekly routine, and get a good night’s rest to revive your body. When you feel yourself falling back into stressful habits, take a walk, talk with a friend or try something new. Finally, enjoy what nature has to offer in the great outdoors and make having a good laugh apart of your daily routine.

Unfortunately, stress is a part of life, but that does not mean we have to let it overwhelm and burden our lives. When you feel yourself getting stressed take the necessary steps to find a solution and get back to living your life full of happiness. If you continue to have an ongoing problem with stress that prevents you from enjoying life, help is available. Seeking the assistance of a health professional can you help you find more techniques to reduce and eliminate your stress. 

Article written by Wellness Beyond Fifty