Stress and Aging: How Seniors in Kendallville Can Stay Resilient

According to the World Health Organization, about 14% of adults ages 60 and over live with a mental disorder. These conditions account for 10.6% of the total disability among older adults. The most common mental health conditions for older adults are depression and anxiety.

Located in Kendallville, Chandler Place Assisted Living offers a serene and community-focused lifestyle that could minimize your stress. Otherwise, chronic stress may increase your risk of these mental health conditions.

What's the connection between stress and aging, and how can you start coping with stress? Read on to find out!

Stress and Aging

Stress is a mental reaction to challenging situations. This response helps humans survive by triggering a fight-or-flight response.

There's a complex connection between stress and aging. According to a study in the journal Cell Metabolism, a person's biological age increases rapidly in response to stress.

Stress causes biological responses in the body, including:

Oxidative stress
The release of stress hormones
Telomere damage

Oxidative stress is an imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the body's ability to repair ROS-related damage. Oxidative stress can damage DNA, proteins, and cells. This can cause premature aging.

Stress triggers the release of cortisol and adrenaline. These stress hormones can damage DNA and cells. They also cause inflammation.

Excessive inflammation can cause:

Fatigue
Insomnia
Pain
Depression and anxiety
Frequent infections
Unintentional weight loss or gain
Gastrointestinal issues

Telomeres are protective caps at the end of chromosomes. Stress can shorten telomeres, which is a marker of premature aging.

Effects of Stress on Aging

According to the National Council on Aging, stress may affect seniors more than other adults. Stress triggers inflammation, which is associated with age-related conditions. These include:

Type 2 diabetes
Dementia
Arthritis
Heart disease
Hardening of the arteries

Chronic stress can reduce the effectiveness of certain vaccines in older adults. It also accelerates the aging process.

Stress can cause physical, mental, and emotional symptoms, including:

Crying
Social withdrawal
Headaches
Heart palpitations
Poor concentration
Sleep disturbances
Digestive issues
Irritability

Making certain lifestyle changes may improve your biological age. A lower biological age can reduce your risk of:

Metabolic disorders
Immune dysfunction
Cardiovascular disease

Your biological age is a key indicator of your longevity and overall health. An increase in cumulative stress (chronic, emotional stress) is associated with aging. However, emotional regulation and relaxation methods can reduce it.

Anxiety Management for Older Adults

Prioritizing senior mental wellness can benefit your physical health and overall well-being. Here are some tips on anxiety management for older adults.

Remove the Source

Try to identify what's causing your stress. Seniors may experience stress due to:

Chronic illness
Financial insecurity
Major life changes
Loss and grief
Boredom
Social isolation and loneliness

Once you identify the source of your stress, try to remove it from your environment. For example, perhaps you live alone. Social isolation and loneliness may increase your risk of:

Heart disease
High blood pressure
Obesity
A weakened immune system
Depression
Alzheimer's disease
Cognitive decline

Consider moving into a Kendallville senior living community. Spending time among other seniors will minimize feelings of loneliness. You won't have to deal with the responsibility or stress of managing a home alone.

Relaxation Methods

Add relaxation methods to your routine, including:

Meditation
Mindfulness
Positive visualization
Body scans
Mind mapping
Journaling
Expressing gratitude
Reciting positive affirmations
Therapeutic coloring
Deep breathing

You can use mindful breathing techniques anytime and anywhere. They're useful when you're in a stressful situation or during an anxiety attack.

The next time you feel stressed, focus on your breathing. Imagine the air traveling into your nose, into your lungs, and out of your body.

Body scans allow you to recognize the sensations you feel from head to toe. Mind mapping, on the other hand, is ideal if you're excessively worried. It can help you break negative thoughts into smaller, easier-to-process pieces.

These techniques can help calm your anxiety and racing thoughts. They may relax your tense muscles, slow your heart rate, and help you sleep.

Consult a Professional

Instead of applying these senior mental wellness tips alone, consider consulting a mental health professional. Leverage their expertise in anxiety management for older adults.

They may recommend:

Medication
Coping skills
Social support
Therapy

A mental healthcare professional will determine which combination of treatments best suits your needs. You can learn how to work through your anxieties using cognitive-behavioral therapy.

This technique involves changing the thought patterns that are contributing to your anxiety. You can desensitize yourself to the situations that are triggering these feelings.

Adjust Your Diet

Take a holistic approach to improving your senior mental wellness. Start by eating a healthy, balanced diet. Eating whole foods rich in antioxidants and nutrients may help lower inflammation.

Eating a healthy diet may help:

Prevent certain diseases
Boost energy levels
Improve your mood
Increase mental sharpness
Improve your longevity

A healthy senior diet should include fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins. Prioritize healthy fats that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids to reduce inflammation.

If cooking is stressful, consider moving into a Kendallville senior living community. Relying on your community's dining program can ensure you follow a healthy diet customized based on your preferences.

Exercise

Regular exercise may help combat chronic illness and improve your mood. Explore your senior living community's wellness program for classes, such as:

Dancing
Tai chi
Pilates
Yoga
Strength training
Water aerobics
Cycling
Stretching

Participate in these activities with friends at your Kendallville senior living community. Making it a social event can combat feelings of loneliness.

Improve Your Living Space

Living in a comfortable, safe environment may help relieve your stress. Consider moving into a Kendallville senior living community. Changing your environment may help you get better sleep.

Getting proper sleep can help improve your overall health. It could boost your mood and strengthen your immune system.

Discover More Cognitive Health Tips

To recap, what's the connection between stress and aging? Chronic stress may accelerate the aging process. Instead of applying these cognitive health tips alone, explore your Kendallville senior living community.

Chandler Place Assisted Living offers a compassionate staff, individualized care plans, and full coordination of care. Enjoy our engaging activities, comfortable living accommodations, and exclusive lifestyle programs. Contact us now to schedule a tour.