Stress can negatively impact everyone, but seniors are uniquely vulnerable to the anxiety that can affect our health. This is especially true during the holidays, when increased feelings of lonliness can inspire additional sadness, and trying to navigate the perceived obligation of gift-giving can feel overwhelming. Seniors are now even more nervous about their health, which can further aggravate feelings of anxiety. Overall, it is important for family members to be aware of the potential for holiday stress and to help their loved ones to ease these feelings in order to enjoy the season.
How Our Stress Response Works
Humans have instinctually adapted to reacting to threatening situations. Our nervous system sends out signals that protect us, operating via the hypothalamus – a gland that warns the body of potential danger and instructs the adrenal glands to release adrenaline and cortisol. While this reaction has evolved as a survival mechanism, any stressful event can trigger this adrenal response. When adrenaline floods the system, it elevates both heart rate and blood pressure – which can dangerous for seniors with heart or blood pressure conditions. Cortisol, which is the most common stress hormone, can impact immune system response, negatively interact with the digestive system, and confuse brain signals which mitigate fear. In a “fight or flight” situation, the body’s heightened responses will calm down once events begin to level out and the blood pressure, sugars, and heart rate normalize.
However, when an older adult experiences ongoing stress, the body stays in a continual condition of hyper-alertness and responses can become chronic. Stress may stem from confusion, lonliness, fear or isolation. While these emotions are sometimes evidenced in residents of assisted living and memory care communities during mundane times of the year, they can become even more prevalent over the holidays.
Keep in Mind: A senior’s normal personality may be easygoing and happy, but they can get thrown off-kilter by any shift in their daily routine. Understanding someone’s everyday persona provides a baseline to sense how well they are handling holiday stress. Those with dementia or Alzheimer’s are the most vulnerable to stress induced by unexpected situations and a change in their daily routine.
When stress is never fully alleviated, an older adult may experience depression, anxiety, sleep interruptions, digestion issues, fluctuations in weight, cognitive impairment, heart disease, or migraine headaches.
Some helpful methods for managing holiday stress and fighting chronic disease include:
- Managing Sleep: Planning for enough sleep and keeping to a regular sleep schedule is key to alleviating stress and feeling peace.
- Maintaining Nutrition: Incorporating nutritious, healthy meals can work to manage inflammation and deliver the vitamins and minerals needed to stave off illness.
- Incorporating Exercise: Daily exercise is essential for heart health, well-being, and maintaining a stable mood when changes arise.
- Adding Sunshine: Being outside in the sun offers the vitamin D needed to support the immune system, and is easy to do in Florida over the holidays.
- Cultivating Serenity: To achieve an overall sense of calm and fight stress, try yoga, massage, or meditation.
- Insisting on Interaction: Participating in enjoyable hobbies and pastimes can reduce tension, especially when you partake in the fun with friends and peers.
- Establishing Relationship: Cultivating and maintaining new friendships offers a sense of belonging and reduces stress and anxiety.
- Asking for Assistance: Meeting with a professional mental health counselor when necessary will help to avoid stress from reaching a chronic level.
A Banyan Residence is an assisted living and memory care center located in The Villages. We are committed to the health and well-being of our residents during the holidays, and throughout the year.
