Let’s face it: Our fast-paced and complex modern world is anything but relaxing. Between financial and social responsibilities, household chores, personal relationships, and more, practically everyone is affected by stressful situations on an ongoing basis. It doesn’t necessarily get any easier as we age, what with encroaching health issues and other stressors that can contribute to problems such as:
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Digestive problems
- Chronic fatigue
- Low libido
- Lack of focus
- Depression and/or anxiety
If your life feels overwhelming at times, the good news is, there are ways you can help manage stress to improve your health and wellbeing.
5 Ways to Manage Stress
- Relax with guided meditation. You don’t need a guru to show you how to distract yourself from the stressors of day-to-day living. There are numerous guided meditation programs available online that can help calm you with 5-15 minutes of centered relaxation. It is easy to do and can be used specifically for any challenge, such as anger issues, brain fog, depression, anxiety, or insomnia. All it takes is regular practice in a quiet, comfortable place where you listen to instructions and bring your focus and awareness to your breathing to achieve a calming effect.
- Practice deep breathing exercises. Deep breathing helps reduce the activation of your sympathetic nervous system, which is what controls your body’s response to a perceived threat. When you inhale deeply for five seconds, hold it for two seconds, and exhale for a count of five seconds. This enables your parasympathetic nervous system to rest and digest, which helps reduce stress and anxiety.
- 3. Exercise regularly and maintain good nutrition. It may seem like a no-brainer that physical exercise and a balanced diet are good for your overall health, but they are also great stress relievers. A physically healthy body leads to a healthy mind. Nutrition is particularly important because stress depletes certain vitamins, such as A, B complex, C, and E. Foods that enhance your body’s ability to handle stress include oatmeal, asparagus, salmon and tuna, oysters, berries, chamomile tea, and dark chocolate.
- Moderate your time on social media. What you might see on social media sites can delight you – or it can incite you. As such, spending too much time online can become stressful and, if you dwell on it at night, it can have a negative effect on your sleep patterns. Instead, spend more time enjoying the company of friends and family, reading a good book, or simply getting out and about. The more active you are, the healthier your mind and body will be.
- Interact with supportive friends, family, and associates. Having a sense of community, whether in your neighborhood, with a religious organization, or through shared activities, such as a senior sports group, is beneficial to your mental wellbeing. It not only helps you forget whatever is troubling you, but it also allows you to foster meaningful relationships that offer support during difficult times.
Medical Center Near You in South and Central Florida
Another great way to manage stress is by participating in activities at a Palm Medical Centers wellness center. Our senior wellness centers provide a wide range of physically and mentally stimulating activities, festive events, and educational classes designed to promote physical health and wellness and prevent disease in older adults.
Activities at Palm Medical Centers wellness centers vary by location and may include:
- Arts and crafts
- Games
- Dance lessons
- Exercise classes
- Chair yoga, Tai Chi, meditation
- Monthly birthday celebrations
- Holiday and theme parties
In addition, we offer educational courses that can help you manage stress, such as:
- Computer literacy
- Diabetes 101
- Fall prevention
- Financial planning
- Importance of heart health
- Managing arthritis
- Nutrition and diet
- Preventing lower back pain
- Proper hypertension monitoring/management
Participating in our wellness centers offers multiple physical, mental, and social benefits. For one thing, it can improve your strength, range of motion, balance, and flexibility. It can also enhance your sense of wellbeing, self-confidence, self-esteem, and motivation, and reduce the risk of depression. It also offers an opportunity to make new friends, broaden your social network, become more independent, and – best of all – lower your stress levels.
To learn more about our wellness centers, contact Palm Medical Centers today at (833) 500-PALM (7256) or send us a message now. You can even request a complimentary private tour of our wellness facility nearest to you.
