According to the American Institute of Stress, 44% of adults ages 50 to 80 reported feelings of stress. Stress and inflammation are closely related and can increase your risk of age-related conditions. These include type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.

Stress can even accelerate the aging process. Instead of letting stress affect your mental and physical health, apply these environmental stress coping strategies.

With these tips, you can start managing stress naturally to improve your quality of life. Start reducing environmental stress today!

The Importance of Managing Stress Naturally

Stress triggers the body’s fight-or-flight response. It causes your heart to accelerate, muscles to tense, and breath to quicken. When your stress response is continuous, it can put your health at risk, causing:

Headaches
Rapid breathing
Pounding heart
Increased risk of heart attack
High blood pressure
Heartburn
Increased depression
Insomnia
High blood sugar
Weakened immune system
Stomachache
Tense muscles

Your risk of type 2 diabetes, stroke, and heart attack may increase. Stress can also exacerbate age-related conditions, including arthritis, cancer, and dementia.

Stress affects the body’s ability to respond to inflammation associated with chronic conditions. Using stress management techniques can improve your overall health and quality of life.

Tips for Reducing Environmental Stress

You may struggle to enjoy your retirement if you’re in a constant state of stress. Here are a few effective tips for reducing environmental stress that you can apply to your daily routine.

Recognize the Signs of Stress

Identifying symptoms of stress can help you recognize that it’s time to adjust your environment and routine. Stress can present in emotional and physical ways.

Emotional signs of stress include:

Mood changes (sadness, anxiety, irritability)
Disruptions in sleeping or eating patterns
Withdrawing from social activities
Neglecting personal hygiene
Becoming easily agitated
Restlessness

Physical symptoms include:

Trouble sleeping
Headaches
Digestive issues (changes in appetite, indigestion, etc.)
Fatigue

If you experience these symptoms, try to identify the root cause of your stress. Adjusting your environment or routine may resolve the issue. Otherwise, apply our coping tips to manage your stress.

Identify Triggers

Before learning coping mechanisms for seniors, determine what’s causing your stress. Environmental stressors can exacerbate mental and physical stressors. Recognizing the root cause of your stress can help you develop targeted interventions.

Common causes of stress in seniors include:

Changes in living situations or environments
Health problems or chronic conditions
Financial issues
Loss of mobility and independence
Caregiver stress
Social isolation and loneliness
Losing a spouse, friend, or pet

Apply Coping Mechanisms for Seniors

Proactive coping mechanisms for seniors can help you prevent or navigate stressful situations. Over time, these coping mechanisms will build your resilience to stress. Try:

Directly changing the source of your stress
Engaging in problem-solving
Asking others for help
Lowering your expectations
Distancing yourself from the source of your stress
Expressing distressing emotions
Taking responsibility for the situation

Coping is a process. You may need to alternate between different solutions based on the source of your stress.

Evaluate your overall lifestyle. Engaging in stress-reducing activities can improve your approach to coping with stress.

Practice Mindfulness and Meditation

Mindfulness-based practices can help you become aware of your thoughts, feelings, and environment. Observe the world around you without judgment. Instead, approach your thoughts and feelings with kindness and curiosity.

Mindfulness can reduce anxiety and depression symptoms. It may:

Help lower your blood pressure
Improve sleep
Help you cope with pain
Promote calmness
Boost your concentration and attention
Improve relationships
Help you better understand your options
Help you navigate difficult thoughts

Explore your senior living community’s wellness program. They may offer mindfulness and meditation classes.

Exercise and Relax

According to Harvard Health, regular exercise can keep you healthy and reduce stress levels. Staying physically active can boost your mood and emotional stability. Explore different exercises through your senior living community’s wellness program, including:

Swimming
Hiking
Walking or jogging
Yoga

Exercising can release endorphins, the body’s natural mood boosters. Endorphins can alleviate feelings of anxiety, lift your spirits, and increase your energy levels.

Make time to unwind as well. To maintain a healthy circadian rhythm, go to bed at the same time each night and wake up at the same time each morning. Aim for seven to nine hours of sleep.

To relax before bed, try:

Meditating
Keeping a journal
Spending time outdoors
Stretching

Getting enough rest will help you better cope with stress during the day.

Eat a Well-Balanced Diet

Eat a healthy, balanced diet that includes:

Whole grains
Healthy fats
Fruits and vegetables
Lean proteins

Choose anti-inflammatory foods that are rich in antioxidants. These foods can help combat the negative effects of stress.

Socialize

Build a support network of friends and family members. Building social connections can contribute to better emotional resilience. Loneliness and social isolation can become sources of stress.

Explore your senior living community’s upcoming activities. You can engage with other seniors and build meaningful connections. Socializing will give you a sense of security and belonging.

Nurture Hobbies

Explore new hobbies, nurture old ones, and continue learning. Participating in classes or hobby groups can increase opportunities for social interaction. This pursuit of knowledge will help you keep your mind sharp while giving you a sense of purpose.

Explore different groups and clubs through your senior living community. These can involve:

Gardening
Knitting, quilting, and crocheting
Reading
Painting
Playing instruments
Learning a language

Practicing a hobby regularly can reduce stress levels. Focusing your attention on a task can distract you from a stressful situation or thought. Nurture your hobbies to foster a positive mood, improve your emotional well-being, and enrich your life.

Seek Senior Mental Wellness Support

You don’t have to apply these stress management tips alone. Instead, seek senior mental wellness support. Consider working with a therapist or joining a support group.

Working with a professional will help you develop a personalized plan for coping with stress. Talking with peers in a support group can help you learn from their past experiences.

Discover Environmental Stress Coping Strategies

Determining which environmental stress coping strategies work for you can take time. Be patient with yourself. Remember, you can always find help at your local senior living community.

At Meadowview Place Assisted Living, we provide individual care plans to meet each resident’s needs. Discover engaging activities, comfortable living options, and personalized experiences. Contact us now to schedule a tour.