According to the American Psychiatric Association's annual mental health poll, 43% of adults say they feel more anxious than they did the previous year. When asked which lifestyle factors affect their mental health, adults often cite stress (53%) and sleep (40%).
Despite this rise in stress and anxiety, only one in four adults say they talked to a mental health care professional. Neglecting your senior mental health could affect your overall health and quality of life. Living in Walker Place Assisted Living in Shelbyville, a destination of choice for artists, entrepreneurs, and young professionals, may help.
What exactly is the difference between stress vs anxiety, though, and how can you start coping with stress? Read on to find out!
Stress is your body's reaction to challenges or major changes. These responses can be emotional, behavioral, or physical.
Your body is designed to react and adjust to stress by triggering your fight-or-flight response. Your autonomic nervous system may change your vision, breathing, and heart rate in response to a stressful situation. Common symptoms of stress include:
If you experience these symptoms, consult a doctor. They can help you start coping with stress.
According to the National Council on Aging, stress may affect older adults more. There's a link between stress and inflammation. The latter is associated with age-related conditions, including:
As we age, we develop a higher resilience to stress. While a younger person may experience stress when paying off student loans or starting a family, older adults experience stress for different reasons. These reasons may include:
Anxiety is our natural response to perceived danger or stress. It can cause apprehension, unease, or worry. Anxiety is part of our fight-or-flight response.
According to the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry, about 10 to 20% of older adults experience anxiety. It's the most common mental health problem for women and the second most common for men.
Common symptoms of anxiety include:
Unfortunately, older adults with anxiety disorders often don't get a diagnosis. They may not acknowledge or recognize their symptoms. Others don't seek treatment because they've normalized their anxiety.
These symptoms may affect your quality of life. Speak with a healthcare provider to determine if an underlying condition is causing your symptoms.
The most common anxiety disorder among older adults is Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). People with GAD are always in a state of alert, fear, and nervousness.
Risk factors for anxiety disorders in seniors include:
What's the difference between stress vs anxiety? Both are emotional responses that can cause similar symptoms, including:
However, there is a thin line between them. While stress is a reaction to an external trigger, anxiety is a persistent worry. You can still experience excessive worry in the absence of a stressor.
Both stress and anxiety trigger the body's release of adrenaline. Adrenaline allows us to respond to a threat.
Chronic stress may develop into anxiety. Over time, stress can become overwhelming, triggering feelings of fear and worry. Left unmanaged, these feelings can affect your senior mental health and daily life.
Without treatment, stress and anxiety can boost cortisol and adrenaline levels. These hormones are part of the fight-or-flight response. Long-term exposure can increase your risk of heart attack and stroke.
To minimize your risk, try coping with stress using these effective relaxation techniques:
Avoid stress-eating foods that are high in sugar. Instead, follow a healthy, balanced diet featuring:
Eating a balanced diet can combat the effects of inflammation. It may help improve your energy levels, mood, and immune system.
If planning and cooking meals is stressful, turn to your Shelbyville, IN senior living community's dining program. They'll help you customize a meal plan based on your preferences and dietary needs.
Try to get seven to nine hours of sleep each night. Sleeping gives the body time to heal after a long day. It regulates mood and memory while strengthening your resilience against stress.
Develop a sleep routine by:
Instead of living alone, consider moving into a comfortable Shelbyville, IN senior living community. Their accommodations can help you get the rest you need.
Try to exercise for 30 minutes a day. Regular exercise can:
Explore your senior living community's wellness program for fitness classes. For example, you can use tai chi and yoga to relax the mind and strengthen the body.
Consider mindfulness for seniors. Use meditation or breathing exercises to ease your stress and anxiety.
Instead of applying these relaxation techniques alone, build a support system. Friends and family members can validate your feelings. They'll help you find a solution to the stressful situation you're facing.
To recap, what's the difference between stress vs anxiety? Anxiety is persistent, while stress usually fades once you remove an external trigger. However, both can affect your senior mental health.
Improve your mental and physical health by moving into a Shelbyville, IN senior living community like Walker Place Assisted Living. We offer compassionate care in a home-like setting.
Enjoy our comfortable living options, engaging activities, and coordination of care. Contact us now to schedule a tour.