According to the National Council on Aging (NCOA), up to 25% of senior adults are living with anxiety or depression. It's important to understand the impact that mental health challenges have on people as they age.
Later in life, adults face unique challenges, such as the loss of a spouse, living with chronic health problems, or transitioning to a new living environment. Major life changes can be overwhelming and lead to worries or anxiety about the future.
At Blue Ridge in beautiful Blue Ridge, GA, our residents' mental and physical health is a primary concern. Anxiety grounding techniques are stress management tools that can be useful in managing troublesome feelings for aging adults.
Here's a guide to effective calming practices for seniors.
Anxiety is an overwhelming emotion that occurs when you feel uncertain or scared about the future. For older adults, these feelings may surface due to significant life changes, including:
Many seniors grew up at a time when there was a stigma surrounding mental health. For this reason, seniors often suffer with mental health challenges in silence.
Grounding techniques provide a source of emotional wellness support for those hoping to calm their fears and anxieties. These relaxation strategies incorporate the five senses and mental distractions to ease feelings of distress and calm the mind.
Mindfulness in aging techniques may help seniors with:
Adding relaxation exercises to your health routine can reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. Some grounding techniques that may be helpful include:
Deep breathing is a popular technique to center and calm the body. It can be practiced at home or at work at any time of day.
Deep breathing calms the nervous system and relieves feelings of distress, worry, and anxiety. This common relaxation technique is effective and a great starting point for someone new to grounding exercises.
This grounding technique emphasizes being in the moment and being acutely aware of your body and breathing. The steps for 4-7-8 breathing include:
This stress management technique involves listening to guided meditations that center on deep breathing. They teach you how to breathe deeply to release negative feelings and tensions from the body. You can find a variety of guided breathing meditation apps that incorporate soothing sounds, gentle music, and calming visuals to enhance relaxation.
This grounding technique centers around abdominal breathing as a way to soothe the mind and relax the body. The steps for diaphragmatic breathing include:
This relaxation practice involves tensing and relaxing the various muscles of the body. The goal is to be aware of the tension in your body and how you can relax your muscle groups and then release the stress and tension. This exercise is a good option for seniors experiencing mental and physical stress.
These calming practices for seniors encourage them to be present and shift their thinking away from negative thoughts and emotions. Mindfulness exercises may help in regulating emotions, boosting feelings of well-being, and decreasing anxiety levels.
Getting outside to enjoy nature can improve your mental health. Enjoying the fresh air while you take a walk, work in the garden, or simply sit on the porch can help you relax and get away from the stress of the day. Getting outside into the sunshine regularly may boost your mood and enhance your overall well-being.
Many seniors face loneliness and social isolation. This can lead to sadness and depression over time.
Connecting with others offers emotional support and companionship. Having friends to enjoy activities with may help seniors feel like there's hope for a better tomorrow.
A support group is also beneficial and offers seniors a chance to share their struggles and be a help to others.
Artistic activities can be therapeutic for senior adults. They promote creativity and expression, allowing seniors to get involved in a project, express their emotions, and decrease their stress levels.
Artistic activities, including painting, drawing, gardening, knitting, sculpting, and writing, are excellent creative outlets for seniors. Giving senior adults these opportunities can be fun and emotionally healing for them.
Gentle physical activity is a wonderful way to relax and ease tension in your body. Yoga can be a fun and healthy way to practice mindfulness.
A quality yoga instructor understands how to tailor yoga practices to meet the needs of senior adults. Yoga may help seniors improve their balance, mental clarity, and flexibility. Some yoga poses for beginners include:
Senior adults often have anxiety and worries about the future. They may experience social isolation and deep feelings of sadness, leading to depression. Anxiety grounding techniques are helpful stress management tools that seniors can use to manage their anxieties.
If your loved one is considering a move to a senior living community, they may love being surrounded by a caring staff and group of new friends with similar struggles. At Blue Ridge, our residents enjoy themed parties, outings, health and fitness classes, fine dining, and so much more.
Contact Blue Ridge today to explore all we have to offer.