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How To Manage Stress and Anxiety: Tips for Older Adults

No matter how old you get, the reality is that stress will always be a part of life. While you might have overcome many of the stresses of youth and adulthood, older adults have their own challenges. From work stress and relationship stress to financial stress or caregiver stress, any kind of stress can have a negative impact on your well-being. 

The important thing to remember is that things will always be happening in life that could stress you, but you can learn to manage stress in a healthy way. Doing so can help prevent chronic stress and the resulting poor health outcomes.

The risks of unmanaged stress

Stress is a normal part of life, but older adults may find it affects them more. Why? When the body is under stress, it can’t always respond well to inflammation, which can lead to age-related health concerns popping up. 

According to the American Psychological Association (APA), doctors and scientists know that chronic stress can lead to inflammatory conditions. The more inflammation they deal with, the more likely it is that they will have new or worsening health problems like asthma, arthritis, or diabetes, based on information from the Cleveland Clinic.

What causes so much stress for older adults in what should be their golden years? 

  • Financial stress: Stress from worrying about money related to retirement, low wages, medical bills, or other financial concerns.
  • Family stress: Stress caused by family, such as a death in the family or a serious injury.
  • Caregiver stress: Stress from being a caregiver to another adult, such as if an older adult is taking care of an elderly parent. 
  • Medical stress: Stress from health-related issues, such as clinical anxiety or a chronic illness. 

While it might be difficult to get rid of those stressors, there are options to help reduce the impact of stress on the body. 

5 tips to better manage stress

Even when faced with stress, it’s important to take back control and calm your body and mind to stay as healthy as possible. Whether you change your circumstances or just how you react to the things that occur, handling stress more positively will benefit your body. 

These are our recommendations how to manage stress in daily life:

  1. Taking part in exercise. Exercise is a wonderful way to respond to and relieve stress. It encourages the production of endorphins that can contribute to a happier mood and the improved function of the digestive, immune, and cardiovascular systems.
  2. Using key meditative practices. Practicing gratitude for what’s positive in life, doing yoga, meditating, journaling, using positive affirmations, and even praying can have a positive impact on mood and reduce stress.
  3. Grounding yourself. Body-check practice, also called body scanning, is a way to get back in touch with your body. It’s designed to make you more aware of your body, checking in with each area using the CALM method (chest, arms, legs, mouth). 
  4. Trying square breathing. Square breathing is when you breathe in for four counts, hold for four counts, exhale for four counts, and then hold your breath for another four counts. This is a way of calming your breathing to reduce stress and anxiety.
  5. Going to therapy. There are multiple kinds of therapy, ranging from talk therapy to eye-movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). Different kinds can help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression.

Managing stress for a better you

Everyone will have times when stress causes them anxiety, grief, or frustration. But, that stress can become chronic in some cases, and chronic stress is known to lead to poorer health outcomes. 

By managing your stress levels, you’ll improve how you feel and help reduce the impact of stress on your body. Try the simple tips above, and remember: stress happens, but you can fight back for a better state of being.


*Disclaimer:

The information provided in this blog post is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical consultation or treatment. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

SmartMatch does not endorse or recommend any specific products, treatments, or procedures mentioned in this article. Reliance on any information provided in this blog post is solely at your own risk. We encourage you to discuss any health concerns or questions with your doctor before making any decisions about your health or treatment.

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