It’s not uncommon for older adults to experience stress, and some may become frustrated when they discover traditional methods of alleviating their feelings aren’t working well enough. However, if your senior loved one is willing to think outside the box, there are some unique alternatives for keeping his or her stress at bay. Anchorage, AK, home care professionals discuss unconventional ways your loved one can manage various forms of stress.
1. Get a Pressure Point Massage
A few minutes massaging your loved one’s ears may help him or her feel relaxed all over because the earlobes have reflex points that correspond to specific areas of the body. Start by gently massaging your loved one’s earlobes between your index finger and thumb. Follow this up by squeezing along the outer edge of the ear from the bottom to the top.
2. Take Some Vitamin C
It is no secret that vitamin C is good for the immune system. It may also help your loved one’s body manage the psychological and physical effects of stress. In animals, vitamin C lowers levels of cortisol, a hormone secreted as part of the “fight or flight” response during times of stress.
3. Create a Quiet Environment
An influx of constant noise can keep your loved one’s mind and body on guard and unable to relax. If your loved one lives in a noisy area, find ways to mask the sound of traffic, loud neighbors, and other racket. Try playing soothing music, or your loved one can invest in a white noise machine, earplugs, or a pair of noise-canceling headphones.
4. Change the Décor
The body has a psychological response to scent and color. Your loved one can create a sense of harmony and peace by decorating the home in shades of green, blue, and white. If your loved one needs to feel more energized, surround him or her with yellows, oranges, and reds. Scents like jasmine, lavender, and rose also soothe the nervous system.
5. Schedule Downtime
Downtime is essential for the mind and body to recover from everyday stress. However, it is all too easy to feel guilty about spending a few hours reading a good book or simply doing nothing, especially when there is an endless list of “to-dos” running on a loop through the brain. Try carving out specific blocks of time a few times a week when your loved one can do the things he or she enjoys instead of what he or she feels compelled to do.
Having a good conversation with a friendly companion can also alleviate stress. At Home Care Assistance, our caregivers can provide social stimulation and assist with various tasks like cooking, cleaning, and exercise. We also offer comprehensive Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and dementia care Anchorage seniors and their families trust. For more information on our in-home care services, please call one of our experienced Care Managers at (907) 770-0907 today.