Stress and the Elderly: April is Stress Awareness Month. Many older Americans are facing extremely stressful circumstances— and may encounter emotionally stressful situations that are more severe and occur more frequently. Some situational causes of increased chronic stress in older adults include:
- Retirement
- Loss of a loved one
- Heart disease
- Too much unstructured time
- Declining physical abilities
- Financial concerns about the future
- Caretaking demands for a spouse, parent or other loved one
- Moving to a new residence
The National Institute for Health defines stress as the body’s response to physical, mental, or emotional pressure. Stress causes chemical changes in the body that can raise blood pressure, heart rate, and blood sugar levels. It may also lead to feelings of frustration, anxiety, anger, or depression. Stress can be caused by normal life activities or by an event, such as trauma or illness. Long-term stress or high levels of stress may lead to mental and physical health problems.
Age-related changes not only reduce our ability to cope, but they can even be a source of stress themselves. Recurring pain or discomfort, mobility issues, or coronary artery disease are a few circumstances that might cause an uptick in your stress levels.
Sometimes, a physical and emotional reaction can be good—helping us to avoid dangerous situations and cope with difficult moments. Where the problem arises is when we can’t release the stress and we live with it for extended periods, according to a post by SeniorCare.
For seniors, stress often manifests itself in more physical ways, including health problems. Warning signs of stress can include headaches, sleep problems, insomnia, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, change in appetite, muscle tension, pain, chest pain, stomach upset, and more. Additionally, on-going stress can also lead to severe health problems like heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes.
Recognizing that stress is a normal part of life is important. Also important is knowing what in your life is causing you stress and understanding how it impacting your wellness. If you can recognize stress building, you are more able to take actions to relieve at least some of the stress. According to the article when thinking about ‘alleviating’ stress, Brené Brown author of the book “The Gifts of Imperfection,” talks about a “Vowel Check” system to help alleviate some of the impact of stress.
A = Have I been Abstinent today? (“Abstinent” in this use meaning to avoid unhealthy choices like stress eating, staying up too late or engaging in other harmful behaviors)
E = Have I Exercised today?
I = What have I done for myself today?
O = What have I done for Others today?
U = Am I holding on to Unexpressed emotions today?
Y = Yeah! What is something good that’s happened today?
Know the symptoms of stress, and according to HelpGuide.org
