Feeling a little stressed? Try these tips!

While to some it may appear that retirement is a time of carefree living; retirement can actually be a time of stress.

Stress in seniors can come from relationships, finances and health among other things.

Here are some ways that you can manage your stress levels which can result in better mental and physical health.

Breathing Exercises

Breathing is an extremely important component of stress relief. Breathing exercises are convenient as you can do them anywhere with quick results. Here is a quick breathing exercise to do whenever the first signs of stress are showing:

1. Sit or stand in a comfortable position.

2. Slowly inhale through your nose, counting to five in your head.

3. Exhale from your mouth, counting to eight in your head as the air leaves your lungs. Repeat several times.

Yoga

According to American Senior Fitness Association, yoga can promote physical and mental well-being in seniors. It is an excellent form of stress relief and is relatively low impact. Yoga can help you relax and promote better breathing and sleeping patterns.

Calming Music

Listening to calming music can alter your mood and state of mind. It can have a tremendously relaxing effect on our minds and bodies. Sit in a relaxed position and let the music help alleviate your stress and anxiety. Try some slow, classical music the next time you’re stressed!

Adult Colouring Books

The newest craze to hit book shelves are adult colouring books. Colouring can be a good way to relieve stress as the focus is on being creative. Colouring allows the exploration of your artistic side while also helping you stay stress free.

Cognitive Puzzles

Doing a crossword puzzle or solving a Sudoku can provide mental stimulation for your brain. These games require mental concentration that can be a distraction from your worries. You can get mental stimulation from doing daily crossword puzzles in your local newspaper or playing an online game of Solitaire.

Cognitive Restructuring

Cognitive restructuring is realizing the power of your brain and how it can impact your mood. Sometimes just looking at something differently can help alleviate your stress. Try to focus on the positives instead of the negatives in a situation. If you actively focus on the positive, you will feel less stress and feel more optimistic about your situation.

It doesn’t matter what stage you are in your life, stress is a very real component of being a human being. Recognizing what triggers your stress and anxiety is the first step to managing your stress levels. These simple activities will help you achieve a better state of mental well-being.

Sources:

https://www.verywell.com/stress-management-for-senior-health-3144930

https://www.verywell.com/release-tension-with-stress-relief-breathing-3144509

https://www.verywell.com/cognitive-restructuring-for-stress-relief-3144919

http://dailycaring.com/beautiful-coloring-books-for-seniors/

https://www.seniorfitness.net/YOGA.htm

http://goodrelaxation.com/2012/05/top-relaxation-techniques-for-elderly/