Managing stress can be an art form in itself. Although one may associate retirement as a time of little stress, many seniors still experience it in many different ways. According to the American Psychological Association, in 2017 over 50% of baby boomers and older adults reported feeling stressed on a regular basis. Stress can present itself in two ways, emotional and physical. An example of physical stress may be healing slower from superficial wounds or having difficulty with regulating body heat after exposure to severe weather. On the other hand, emotional stress may manifest itself in more severe ways through anxiety and depression.

Tips to Manage Stress

Experience the outdoors

In the past few years, research has shown that being out in nature is the best therapy for people who are always stressed. Originally a Japanese tradition, “Forest Bathing”, a fancy term for taking a nature walk, has become very popular in recent years. Being out in nature is proven to significantly lower levels of high blood pressure for those suffering from it as well as lowering cortisol levels (the stress hormone). Exercising is another good activity to keep you outdoors and to help you stay healthy. Some examples of outdoor exercising include cycling, walking, and swimming.

Practice a Hobby

Starting or practicing a hobby can be very therapeutic, especially since it keeps our minds focused on a task for a period of time. Starting a new craft is a perfect way to stay busy. Some new activities you may enjoy include adult coloring books, knitting, painting, putting puzzles together, learning a new instrument or even practicing a new language. Seeing improved progress over time has shown to build more confidence and self-esteem.

Meditate

Meditation is a relaxation technique that has exploded in popularity in the last five years. It’s a free and healthy practice that helps to improve the quality of life and it only takes a couple of minutes. If you don’t know where to start, simply find a comfortable place to sit and begin by taking longer and deeper breaths. This will help in calming any troubled thoughts and helping you stay focused on your present environment. Practicing meditation has many benefits for everyone, especially for seniors as it helps to decrease blood pressure, improve breathing and promote deeper sleep. If you love to try new activities, doing yoga is a fantastic way to meditate and get your blood flowing.

Use Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is a simple practice that uses essential oil scents to calm or stimulate the brain. There are many ways to enjoy this relaxing aid through the use of candles, diffusing essential oils or taking a bath/ shower. The most popular calming scents are Lavender, Peppermint, Rosemary, Eucalyptus and Lemon. However, many different scents are available and the combinations are endless. We do advise that you test a little bit of the scent on your skin before use to make sure you do not have an allergic reaction. Although safe for most, always make sure with your medical professional that it is safe for you.

Stress can be a big part of our loved ones’ everyday lives and learning ways to cope can make a significant difference over time. At BlueStar SeniorTech we are committed to making a difference in the lives of seniors and veterans. We offer a wide variety of products and solutions to keep your loved ones Safe, Healthy & Connected! If you’d like to learn more about us and what we can do for your family call us at (800)300-1724 option 1 or visit us online.