Stress is a major problem for many elderly people. There are numerous reasons for stress in the elderly. Losing a loved one, having friends move away, not being able to work, and having more health issues are all reasons why your elderly loved one might be stressed. Being able to recognize the source of stress is a starting point for getting rid of or lowering stress levels. You and senior care providers can work with your elderly loved one to help them relieve their stress. Keep reading here to find out more about what your elderly loved one might need to do to lower their stress levels starting today.
Helping Another Person
Many people find that helping other people gets rid of or at least lowers their stress levels. This might help your elderly loved one to manage or get rid of their stress, as well. There are many ways that your elderly loved one can help another person. Some of the things they can do include the following:
- Doing yard work with or for a neighbor
- Volunteering at a local hospital or community center
- Working at a call center for people who need assistance
These are just some of the many ways that your elderly loved one can help others and lower their own stress levels at the same time.
Get Going
Your elderly loved one might be able to lower their stress levels if they get more physical activity, too. Research shows that moving around and being more active every day can keep stress to a minimum. If your elderly loved one needs some ideas on how to be more active, some of the things they can do include the following:
- Go for a morning or evening walk
- Go to a gym or fitness center
- Ask their senior care providers to play an outdoor game
- Do household chores
- Dance
- Swim
These are just some of the ways that your elderly loved one can get going. If they do these things or other active things regularly, it could help to lower or even get rid of their stress.
Writing or Talking it Out
Some elderly people find that writing or talking things out can help to lower or get rid of their stress. This might help your elderly loved one, as well. Some of the ways that your elderly loved one can do this include the following:
- Writing in a journal about the things they are stressed about
- Writing in a journal about all the things they are grateful for
- Talking to a friend or family member on the phone to vent
- Calling a friend or family member to find solutions to their problems
If your elderly loved one starts writing or talking things out regularly, it could help to keep their stress to a minimum.
Conclusion
Does your elderly loved one seem very stressed? If so, you and senior care providers can work with them to lower their stress. There are things you read above that can help your elderly loved one to lower or get rid of their stress, as well.
Sources
https://www.health.harvard.edu/stress/stress-relief-tips-for-older-adults
https://www.health.harvard.edu/aging/how-stress-affects-seniors-and-how-to-manage-it
