Anxiety in Older Adults: How Newburgh Seniors Can Find Relief

According to WebMD, one in four seniors experiences a mental health issue. Anxiety in older adults is among the most common, second only to depression and dementia.

While prevalent, anxiety isn't a normal part of aging. If left unaddressed, it can significantly impact more than just senior mental health. It can also cause physical stress and affect many organs and functions of the body, from the nervous to the immune to the cardiovascular system.

The good news is that there are many practical strategies for anxiety and stress management for seniors. The compassionate team at Bell Oaks Place Assisted Living, our senior living community in Newburgh, IN, explores them in this guide, so please read on.

Engage in Regular Exercise

During exercise, the body releases natural chemicals and neurotransmitters (nervous system messengers) called "endorphins."

As Harvard Health Publishing explains, there are about 20 different types of endorphins. They are the body's natural painkillers and help create feelings of well-being. The hypothalamus and pituitary gland release them as part of the pain or stress response.

Exercise also provides a much-needed break from daily stressors and worries, helping foster mental and emotional wellness in aging. By engaging in physical activities, seniors can focus on something else that benefits their body and mind rather than being anxious and dwelling on unpleasant thoughts.

Moreover, exercise delivers other benefits that can help older adults feel better and be more confident about their health. For instance, the U.S. CDC says physical activity benefits older adults through:

• Sleep quality improvements
• Reducing feelings of anxiety
• Lowering blood pressure
• Minimizing risks of dementia and depression
• Decreasing risks for heart problems, such as heart disease and stroke
• Improving bone health, balance, and coordination

All those health perks can also help older adults maintain their independence longer. For example, physical activities like exercise can reduce seniors' risks of falls by improving balance and coordination. Falls can cause severe injuries that may lead to disabilities or, at the very least, pain and immobility.

Get More Nature Time In

Spending time in nature can be an excellent strategy for coping with anxiety and reducing stress and worries. Indeed, science backs this up. According to an article on ScienceDirect.com, research shows the following as some of the top benefits of nature exposure:

• Enhances positive emotions while decreasing negative ones
• Promotes well-being
• Positively affects emotion regulation processes
• Minimizes worries and rumination (the act of dwelling on distressing and negative feelings)
• Enhances people's use of adaptive emotion regulation strategies (e.g., cognitive reappraisal and mindfulness for older adults)

Luckily, older adults in Newburgh, IN, enjoy access to many beautiful, well-maintained parks and greenspaces. Some examples include:

• Lou Dennis Community Park
• Veterans Monument Park
• Newburgh Rivertown Trail
• Old Lock and Dam Park
• Overlook Park
• Friedman Park

All those nature spots have many senior-friendly amenities and services. They're also near (just two to four miles) our beautiful senior living community, Bell Oaks Place Assisted Living, in Newburgh, IN.

Maintain Existing and Build New Social Connections

Social connections are the experiences of being close and connected to others. It involves various emotions, such as feeling:

• Loved
• Cared for
• Valued

People with high-quality social connections feel they belong and get the care and support they need. Conversely, a lack of such connections can make them:

• Feel anxious: Disconnect can raise self-doubt, foster loneliness, and distort one's view of oneself and others
• Experience loneliness: Not having connections can disrupt one's fundamental human need to belong and make them feel empty and unneeded
• Develop depression: As a result of anxiety, loneliness, and negative self-perception

Due to aging, seniors are especially vulnerable to social disconnection and isolation. After all, aging leads to social and physical health changes. For instance, they may lose family and friends or develop health conditions that make moving or getting around challenging.

Still, there are many enjoyable ways for seniors to stay social, including the following:

• Staying in touch with loved ones and friends, such as through regular text messages, phone calls, and video chats
• Scheduling regular in-person get-togethers with family and friends
• Joining social, recreational, physical, and hobby clubs

Our senior living community in Newburgh, IN, facilitates socialization for older adults by providing a robust calendar of daily activities and events. From card clubs to bingo sessions, pet therapy, and exercise classes, our residents enjoy all these and more as part of their daily engagement and socialization!

Focus on a Healthy Diet

Eating can make us happy because certain foods (and beverages) trigger the release of happy hormones like dopamine and serotonin. It can also uplift our feelings and moods, especially when we consume dishes and drinks associated with positive memories (e.g., a wonderful, heart-warming dish that our parents or grandparents used to make).

However, just as there are mood-bosting, anxiety-reducing foods and drinks, there are also some (as well as dietary habits) that cause the exact opposite. For instance, the Mayo Clinic says mild dehydration and too much alcohol or caffeine can affect mood and make one more anxious. On the other hand, eating lots of the following can help with overall mental and physical health:

• Fresh fruits
• Fresh veggies
• Fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids

If you or an older loved one is anxious about being unable to eat properly due to physical limitations, please know that you no longer have to worry about this if you move to a senior living community. For example, at Bell Oaks Place Assisted Living, our senior living community in Newburgh, IN, residents enjoy three chef-prepared meals daily in our beautiful, welcoming dining room.

Follow These Tips to Reduce Anxiety in Older Adults

Exercising regularly, spending time in nature, staying social, and eating healthy can all help ease anxiety in older adults.

At Bell Oaks Place Assisted Living, our goal is to promote physical, mental, emotional, and cognitive health and well-being in our residents. As such, we encourage and help them perform stress and anxiety-busting strategies. With the many exclusive senior programs, amenities, and services offered by our beautiful and welcoming senior living community in Newburgh, IN, we minimize our beloved residents' daily stresses and worries.

If that sounds like something you or an older loved one can benefit from, we encourage you to call us today and book a tour of our community!