Tips for Managing Stress for Seniors in Gastonia and Lincolnton

It is impossible to completely avoid stress. So how can you manage it?

April is National Stress Awareness Month. We’re here to provide some background on what stress is, its symptoms, and how to manage it.

What is Stress?

Stress is something that everyone experiences. When we experience changes or challenges, our bodies produce physical and mental responses. Those responses are what we call “stress”. Stress can be positive, as it helps us adjust to new situations, but stress is more commonly known as negative. It becomes a problem when stressors continue without relief.

There are three main types of stress:

• Acute stress – This is short-term stress that can be positive or negative.
• Episodic acute stress – This is when you experience acute stress regularly. With this stress, you rarely get the opportunity needed to return to a relaxed state.
• Chronis stress – Long-term stress that goes on for weeks at a time.

Symptoms

Many different symptoms can be caused by stress. These include physical, psychological, and behavioral.

Physical:

• Aches and pains
• Trouble sleeping
• Chest pain
• Headaches
• Muscle tension
• Digestive problems
• Weakened immune system

Psychological:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Panic attacks
• Sadness

Behavioral:

• Alcohol abuse
• Gambling disorder
• Overating
• Compulsive behavior
• Smoking
• Substance abuse

Ways to Manage Stress

The most important step in managing stress is to identify what is causing it. The worst thing you can do is turn to an unhealthy coping mechanism, such as smoking or drinking. Instead, try one of the following stress-reducing ideas:

Be active: Exercise won’t magically make stress disappear, but it can reduce some of the intense emotions you may be experiencing and help clear your thoughts.

Take control: Feeling as though there is nothing you can do can make your stress worse. The act of taking control is empowering and a vital part of finding a solution for you.

Connect with people: A support network of family, friends, and colleagues can help ease your stress and show you new perspectives.

Have some “me time”: It’s important to set aside some time each week to do activities that you enjoy. Whether that socializing, relaxing, or exercising.

Challenge yourself: Setting a goal, whatever it is, can help build confidence and deal with stress.

Avoid unhealthy habits: Don’t rely on unhealthy habits such as overeating, drinking too much, smoking, or overconsumption of caffeine

Help other people: Evidence has shown that volunteering or community work often helps people become more resilient.

Stay positive: Try to regularly take some time and write down a few things that you’re thankful for in that moment.

Local Resources

NAMI North Carolina – The families and members of NAMI North Carolina are here to help. They offer understanding to anyone concerned about mental illnesses and the treatment of mental illness, including chronic stress.

Gaston County YMCA – The Stowe Family YMCA and Warlick Family YMCA have integrated Kintegra to provide free behavioral health services on specific days throughout the week. They also offer regular yoga classes, allowing you to relieve stress, tension, and anxiety through meditation.

How Can Griswold Help?

If you or a senior loved one needs home care, we want you to know that Griswold is here for you. While we don’t offer medical services, our in-home care options provide personal care, homemaking, and companionship through our compassionate Caregivers. Our goal is to make sure you feel secure and supported. Maybe you are the primary caregiver for a loved one, and the long hours of caregiving, along with your other responsibilities, have started to take a toll. If you’re stressed out while caring for a loved one, that will only make it worse. Allow us to take that off your shoulders.

With our respite care, our Caregivers can provide care for a few hours a day or a couple of times a week. If you need more, our services range from a few hours to 24/7 home care. Please reach out to us at (704) 266-6952 today to discuss how we can create a personalized care plan tailored to your needs. In many situations, we can have a Caregiver in your home within 24 hours.