STRESS IN THE SENIOR YEARS

Many people may not think about stress as part of being a senior. Older adults are supposed to be able to "take it easy and relax." But stress may result from any of the following concerns:

financial problems
family problems
health and disability problems
"red-tape" problems from dealing with government agencies
housing problems
grief or loss and
retirement and boredom

Older adults often feel less and less in control of their environment. This also leads to feelings of stress. It is important to realize that even good, positive changes can lead to feeling stressed. Many people do not know what to do once they have reached a goal and they do not have another goal to pursue. This can be especially true of retirement. It can leave you feeling like "Now what?"

Long-term stress can have negative effects on your physical health. It can lead to sleep problems, tense muscles, and other health problems. It can contribute to high blood pressure and heart disease.

Some techniques for dealing with stress include:

regular exercise, as approved by your healthcare provider
meditation and deep breathing
hobbies
massages
hot baths or spas
listening to music or other relaxation tapes
self-hypnosis
a good social life
volunteering time to help others
counseling, therapy or support groups or
stopping or cutting down on alcohol and nicotine

There are many good books, tapes, and videos that can help you learn to deal with stress. Check to see if these are available at your local library or senior center. You may need to try several different techniques before you find one that seems right for you. Do not let stress spoil your golden years.

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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