Elderly Stress
The elderly face stress from various situations,
which are different from those that are faced by
younger people. The Elderly are at a stage
in life where they may face extended and
critical
health problems. They may have lost a spouse
and feel lonely and alone. They may have retired
and, thus, be forced to make to make a change in
both their living
and financial situations
Stress is augmented further by the fact that the
ability of the elderly people to cope with stressful
situations weakens over time. In spite of all the
challenges that they may have faced in previous
years, some of their systems that react and aid in
stress management no longer exist or are not as
efficient as they once were. The process of aging
wears on the brain and the mental response
to Stressful situations is greatly diminished at times.
The various situations that can cause Stress in
older people can be related to:
- Caring for a sick spouse
- Losing a spouse
- Death of other close relatives and friends
- Reduction in physical strength
- Fear of attack or safety in the home
- Worries about finances
- Feeling alone and dejected
All of the above can cause a lot of harm to self-
esteem and send confidence levels spiraling down
to abysmal levels. For those who have been
independent and led a respectable life, it can be
extremely Stressful. Even though the events and
and situations that cause stress may be different for
elderly, the techniques that one can use are
similar.
Here are some Stress Tips for elderly:
The elderly can form a group where they can
share
theirfeelings about their life and the problems
that they face with other elderly people. They
should involve themselves in some activity that
brings them in contact with other people like them,
who can share similar experiences. Opening out
about emotions can help relieve stress to a large
extent.
Leading an active social life where you draw on
activities for the day for yourself can ensure that
you are busy all the time. You could join a
volunteer group and help the needy. You could
join a club and play golf or go to the gym
for regular exercise.
Trying to create a passion for yourself after you
retire can surely help you to keep yourself busy.
The thing that you may decide to take on may not
need a lot of money but should definitely be
interesting enough to keep you involved.
Ensure that you entertain only positive thoughts
and avoid any kind of self-pity. Avoid resorting
to smoking and drinking, since they are not
solutions in themselves but only avoidance
techniques that are harmful in the long run. Try
meditation, yoga or breathing exercises when you
feel you are Stressed out and need to relax.
Nutrition plays a crucial role in managing Stress.
Hence make sure you follow a balanced and
wholesome diet.
Understand that you also need adequate rest
and relaxation and do not try to do more than what your
body allows. Don?t push yourself to achieve what
you could during your youth and accept that fact
that you are older now and age gracefully.
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