Stress - Understanding Its Effects on the Elderly

Stress is a normal part of everyday life. While young people are more resilient in dealing with the negative impact of stress, senior citizens can have a tougher time negotiating the physical effects stress can have on the body. In some ways, stress in small doses can be beneficiary in the sense that it serves to motivate us. But as we get older and our bodies become more sensitive to our environment, doing all we can to eliminate stress from our daily life becomes more important. Incidences of heart disease, infection, and depression become much more prevalent as we age and it's widely known that the psychological effects of stress play a direct role in the strength of the body's immune system. There are many activities and programs of which seniors can take advantage of that are directly designed to alleviate stress. Some of these programs can be found in local recreational or senior citizen assisted living facilities.

Let's take a moment to review some of the possible symptoms that stress can bring on:

Chest pain can no doubt be one of the most alarming symptoms. This is because it can mislead you to think you are having a heart attack. Regardless of whether you think this is true or not, immediate medical attention should be sought out if chest pain persists for any elongated period of time.

Shortness of breath can be another disturbing symptom. One effective way to deal with this sensation is to remind yourself that your lungs are actually getting enough air, and to simply sit down and control your breathing in a slower and relaxed pace.

Dryness of the mouth is another common symptom but probably the least threatening. Keeping regularly hydrated and with pure and healthy liquid sources is a quick and easy solution.

A persistent weakness in the legs and arms can also be result of stress. This is most likely due to the fact that stress can cause changes in blood oxygen and muscle tension. Light exercise is another quick and easy fix, not to mention the additional attributes that go along with physical activity. Visiting the gym on a regular basis in your local fitness center or senior facility, is a great way to stay ahead of the curve should this symptom be an issue.

Having a better understanding of how these symptoms affect your body will be the first step in taking back control of your life from stress. Read reviews on Dre Beats!