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How to Relieve Stress in 10 Simple Ways?

Irrespective of age, stress is harmful to everybody in the long run. Consuming healthy food, sleeping right, performing yoga, talking to a friend, doing deep breathing exercises, etc., are some ways to relieve stress effectively.

5 min read · Updated 2023-06-15

Hand-drawn line illustration of a potted plant, a heart and pulse line and a light dumbbell for the guide "10 Ways to Relieve Stress for Seniors At Home"

10 Ways to Cope With Stress

1. Talking to a buddy

Talking to a friend is one of the best ways to relieve stress. Strong relationships are some ideal ways to combat stress. So, conversing with a friend can help unload all the negative thoughts and be free from stress.

2. Listening to music

Listening to your favourite music can help decrease stress levels considerably. Relaxing with a stress-relieving genre in music can help one to come out of any overwhelming situation. Music can effectively calm the mind and cause one to return to happy moments quickly. Listening to sounds of the sounds of the ocean, forest sounds, or any particular instrument you prefer is helpful. Listening to music has been linked to decreased stress hormone (Cortisol) levels.

3. Eating well

Eating stress-relieving foods like fruits and vegetables is helpful to everybody. Foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids can effectively reduce stress levels within the body. To be stress-free, you must avoid foods that are high in sugar and salt, like junk food. This also helps in relieving high blood pressure and diabetes. Such foods may leave seniors feeling overwhelmed as their blood sugar increases and build up stress and anxiety. Foods like eggs, walnuts, and avocados are excellent foods for the mind.

4. Green tea

Drinking green tea is a good stress reliever for seniors. There are anti-oxidants in the tea and Theanine, an amino acid that helps calm the nervous system. It calms the body and helps in relaxing the mind too. Consuming coffee, which contains a high caffeine content, causes blood sugar levels to increase. The antioxidants in green tea can help relieve stress by resisting the oxidative damage caused to the body by free radicals.

5. Deep breathing

Focusing on your breathing can impart a great deal of stress relief. There are specific breathing techniques when performed that act as stress relievers.

  • Inhale air into your lungs and slowly count to three as the chest expands. Hold your breath for one second, and then exhale slowly. Count to three as the air leaves your lungs and exhale fully.
  • As you breathe in air and your lungs fill up with air, imagine the air you breathe is clean and pure. Exhale out the air from your lungs slowly, and imagine the stress released from your body.

6. Go for a walk

Walking is a form of exercise that works magically as a stress relief system. A change of place whilst walking allows you to take in the scenery and change your frame of mind too. Walking helps keep you fit and considerably reduces stress. You can rejuvenate your body and mind together with a simple walk in the park. Walking is among the best ways of relieving stress when performed daily as a routine exercise.

7. Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy uses body scents, aroma diffusers, and candles that act like mental boosters when inhaled. There are certain perfumes when inhaled, can alter brain wave activity. The rejuvenating scents also energize the body and help keep your mind at ease.

8. Performing yoga

Yoga focuses on meditation and light movement. Breathing exercises in a controlled manner are performed that all add up to decreasing the stress levels of the mind. Physical benefits and psychological benefits are together achieved effectively by virtue of yoga to boost the mental health of the individual.

9. Regular sleep patterns

Lack of sleep causes our mental health to be affected negatively in the long run. Having a routine sleep pattern is how to relieve stress and anxiety. Sleeping for complete and uninterrupted eight hours is an easy and practical stress reduction mechanism.

10. Massage

Deep circular motions during a massage are a very effective way of relieving stress for seniors. Flowing massage strokes are excellent to increase blood flow to different body parts. Dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins are invigorating hormones released that boost mental health. A full-body massage is also one way to relieve stress.

Emoha App

With the Emoha app, you get access to 24/7 emergency support for non-medical & medical emergencies alike that can be availed from any place in India within seconds. You also get exclusive benefits like travel booking assistance, special discounts on travel & medicines, a helpdesk for daily support, and much more. You can also read exclusively tailored blogs for seniors on several topics ranging from health to well-being to entertainment. Download the app from Google Playstore or iOS App Store.

Hand-drawn line illustration of a phone call, a stethoscope and a suitcase, for the section "Emoha App" of 10 Ways to Relieve Stress for Seniors At Home
Illustration: Emoha App

Conclusion

Overeating, mood swings, not sleeping, social isolation, etc., are some symptoms that seniors experience due to stress of varying degrees. Body massage, aromatherapy, walking regularly, breathing exercises, drinking green tea, etc., are some practical stress relievers.

FAQs

What are the seven ways of relieving stress?

Talking to a friend, listening to music, aromatherapy, breathing exercises, body massages, consuming green tea, and eating stress-relieving foods are the seven ways of relieving stress.

What activities can help relieve stress?

Activities like walking daily, performing yoga, aromatherapy, body massage, deep breathing exercises, consuming green tea, listening to music, etc., help to relieve stress.

What are 10 ways to deal with stress?

Aromatherapy, deep breathing, massage, walking exercises, performing yoga, consuming healthy foods, consuming green tea, sleeping well, and talking to a friend are the 10 ways to cope with stress.

Read more:

Reduce Stress with Tai Chi & Qigong

Learn Stress Management – an Efficient Skill to Live Peacefully

Effective Ways to Cope With Caregiving Stress So You can Be Your Best

A simple stress routine

1. Breathe slowly for five minutes: in for four counts, out for six. 2. Walk outdoors in morning light. 3. Sleep at regular times; see sleep hygiene. 4. Talk to someone you trust each day. 5. Limit news and social media if they worry you. 6. Do something you enjoy, such as music, gardening or a hobby. 7. Eat regular meals and limit tea, coffee and alcohol.

See meditation and mindfulness for seniors and yoga and pranayama for older adults.

When to ask a professional

If stress brings constant worry, poor sleep, chest tightness or low mood for more than two weeks, see a doctor; see depression in older adults.

Frequently asked questions

How does stress affect older adults?

It can raise blood pressure, disturb sleep and lower mood and immunity.

What helps quickly?

Slow breathing, a short walk or a chat with a friend.

Is yoga safe for seniors?

Gentle yoga is, with a qualified teacher and adjustments for joints and blood pressure.

When is stress an illness?

When it lasts, disrupts daily life or causes physical symptoms.

Sources and further reading

  • World Health Organization, Stress fact sheet
  • National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), mental health resources
  • Research on mindfulness and stress in older adults

Tags: stress10 Ways to Cope with StressHow to Relieve StressHow to Relieve Stress and AnxietyWays to Relieve Stressstress reliefmental wellbeingrelaxationConditions and devicesGentle exercise at home

Written by the Emoha editorial team. General information only.

This article is for general education and is not medical advice. Speak to your doctor before changing your exercise, diet or medicines.

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