Stress After 65: How Daily Habits Can Protect Your Whole Health

Stress After 65: How Daily Habits Can Protect Your Whole Health

When you were in the thick of busy midlife — raising your kids or building your career — you may have looked forward to the thought of stress-free golden years. But as you may have discovered, stress doesn’t just disappear as we age. What can change is how stress shows up and how it can affect our health.

For many older adults, the senior season of life brings new transitions, such as retirement, health challenges, caregiving responsibilities or adjusting to an empty nest. These shifts can all cause stress that isn’t always recognizable, since stress looks different in different stages of life.

But the good news is that stress after 65 is manageable. Small daily habits can make meaningful differences in both mental and physical health.

What Does Stress Look Like in Older Adults?

When stress is caused by looming work deadlines, juggling bustling calendars or managing a household of kids, you know why your mind is spinning and you can’t sleep.

But as a senior adult, you might not recognize stress as easily. The first step in conquering stress in your current life is identifying what it looks like. While sometimes stress presents itself as anxiety or excessive worry, it can also show up as physical symptoms.

Below, find a list of some symptoms to watch for:

• Trouble sleeping or trouble staying asleep
• Low energy or fatigue
• Irritability
• Feeling overwhelmed
• Loss of interest in hobbies
• Increased aches or headaches
• Changes in appetite
• Memory or concentration challenges

Because these symptoms often overlap with natural symptoms of aging, stress is easy to overlook, but it should never be ignored.

It may be hard to admit you’re feeling stressed, especially if you think you should be past that stage of life or if you can’t identify any reason why you could be stressed. But when you acknowledge or identify what you’re feeling, you can take steps to get through.

Why Stress Matters More After Age 65

As we age, our bodies react differently to stress.

Untreated stress can have physical side effects, such as:

• Elevated blood pressure
• Increased heart rate and risk of stroke or heart attack
• Reduced ability to ward off illness
• Increase fall risk due to fatigue
• Contribute to loneliness or depression

Managing stress is a key contributor to feeling whole in body, mind and spirit. Dealing with what’s stressing you out can benefit your physical health by reducing side effects like those listed above. And it will help you feel better emotionally, which is just as important as staying physically healthy.

Common Sources for Stress

The good news is you are not alone. Stress isn’t a stranger to anyone. So, what types of events can trigger stress?

Life changes in your later years can be big stress triggers, including:

• Adjusting to retirement or identity changes
• Caring for a spouse or loved one
• Health concerns over health diagnoses
• Financial uncertainty or food insecurity
• Loss of friends or family
• Reduced social interactions
• Feelings of loss of autonomy

While these experiences are all a normal part of life, it doesn’t mean they’re easy to handle. But you’re not alone in your feelings, and there are ways to help you breathe a little lighter.

Reduce Stress Day by Day

You don’t need to make sweeping changes to start feeling better. Small, consistent habits can soothe a stressed-out nervous system.

Below are some ways to help manage your daily stressors, including:

• Stay Connected

  Being part of a community reminds us that we don’t have to walk through life alone. Focus on building and maintaining healthy relationships with friends and family. Allow others to help you when you need it, and in return, assist others in their time of need. So, call a friend, meet up with a loved one or join us at some of our AdventHealth Well65+ social work or community engagement events.

• Support Your Body with Movement

  Move your body every day. Get outside, feel the sun and go for a leisurely walk. Do some bed stretches or march in place while you watch the evening news. If you want to exercise with others, join us for a class. We offer tai chi to AdventHealth Well 65+ members or Zumba to the community!

• Keep a Routine

  Consistent routines create predictability, helping you know what to expect and reducing anxiety. Routines also limit the mental energy required for constant decision-making. Try to go to sleep and wake up around the same time every day. Eat your meals and take a daily walk at regular times. These daily habits can foster a sense of control and improve mental health.

• Take Deep Breaths

  Deep breathing, also known as belly breathing, is one of the simplest and most effective ways to cope with stress. Deep breathing helps your body slow down, lowering your heart rate and helping you feel calmer.

  Deep breathing triggers a relaxation response that can improve your mood and lower your stress levels. Learning to manage and control our stress response helps ward off health problems like high blood pressure, a suppressed immune system and mental health issues like anxiety and depression.

• Speak With Your Care Team

  Talk to your health care provider about ways to manage stress and feel more supported. They can also recommend medications or specialists, if necessary.

  If you don’t have a senior primary care provider, call us, and we will connect you with one of our board-certified physicians or advanced practice providers who specialize in caring for adults 65 and older. We’ll work with you to schedule an annual wellness visit and develop a personalized plan tailored to your needs.

  Our care teams are available around the clock for any needs or concerns you have, day or night. Your provider and the entire team will always put you first.

You’re Not Alone

At AdventHealth Well 65+, we believe in whole-person care and that caring for your physical health also includes caring for your mental and emotional health.

You deserve to feel supported and at peace in this season of life. If stress has been weighing on you or disrupting your daily life, your AdventHealth Well 65+ care team is here to walk with you every step of the way.