According to the American Psychological Association, 43% of adults reported feeling more anxious than they did the previous year in 2024, with many attributing their increased feelings of anxiety to increasing stress. This unsettling trend underscores the reality that stress is a universal challenge, affecting everyone, including our seniors in the idyllic, senior-friendly city of Asheboro, NC.
While it’s crucial to address stress, it’s equally important to recognize and steer clear of unhealthy ways to cope with stress. These misguided strategies can exacerbate anxiety rather than alleviate it.
Understanding what to avoid is the first step in promoting resilience in seniors, ensuring they maintain their vitality and well-being. Keep reading to discover the pitfalls to watch out for and foster healthier coping strategies.
Emotional Eating
Emotional eating happens when you turn to food for comfort instead of eating because you’re hungry. This can become one of the unhealthy ways to cope with stress because it might make you feel better at the moment, but it doesn’t solve the problem that’s causing the stress.
Instead, it can lead to other issues like weight gain and health problems. Eating sugary or high-fat foods might briefly lift your mood, but these foods often lead to a cycle of guilt, which adds more stress.
As people age, taking care of their feelings becomes even more critical. Emotional health in aging can be affected by stress from changes like:
- Retirement
- Health problems
- Losing loved ones
If older adults rely on food to handle stress, it might hurt their emotional and physical health. Finding healthier ways to deal with stress, like talking to someone, exercising, or picking up a hobby, can help improve emotional well-being and lead to a healthier life.
Skipping Meals
Skipping meals or undereating might seem like an easy way to deal with stress, but it can worsen things. When you don’t eat enough, your body doesn’t get the energy it needs. This can cause you to feel tired and less focused, making it harder to handle stress.
Your mood might also worsen, leading to irritability or sadness. Negative coping behaviors, like skipping meals, can create a cycle where stress causes you to eat less, and not eating enough makes you feel even more stressed.
Your body needs fuel to function correctly. When you skip meals, your blood sugar levels can drop, making you feel dizzy or weak and affecting your ability to think clearly. Instead of helping you feel better, these negative coping behaviors can make it harder for you to manage stress effectively.
Substance Abuse
Substance abuse is one of the negative coping behaviors people might turn to when they feel stressed. Instead of dealing with feelings in healthy ways, some people may use drugs or alcohol to escape. This can lead to more problems, like:
- Addiction
- Health issues
- Broken relationships
This can be especially dangerous for older adults because their bodies process substances differently. They might also already be taking medications, which can mix badly with drugs or alcohol. Common substances that older adults might abuse include:
- Alcohol
- Prescription drugs
- Illegal drugs
Alcohol is easy to access, and some might drink more to feel relaxed or forget worries. Prescription drugs, like painkillers or sleeping pills, can be addictive and are often used by the elderly for health issues. Some might take more than needed to feel better, which can lead to abuse.
Excessive Sleeping
Excessive sleeping might seem like a way to escape stress, but it’s not healthy for senior stress management or anyone dealing with pressure. When people sleep too much, they avoid facing their problems and miss out on activities that could help reduce stress, like exercise or talking with friends.
Oversleeping can also throw off your body’s natural rhythm, making you feel more tired and less energetic during the day. This creates a cycle where stress and exhaustion feed into each other, making it hard to break free.
Depression Concerns
Moreover, sleeping too much can be a sign of something more serious, like depression. People with depression often feel like they need extra sleep because their bodies and minds are overwhelmed.
However, rather than helping, excessive sleep can make seniors feel even more isolated and disconnected. It can also lead to physical health issues, such as weight gain and a weakened immune system. For effective senior stress management, finding healthier coping methods, such as engaging in hobbies, exercising, or seeking professional help, is essential.
Social Withdrawl
Social withdrawal is an unhealthy way to cope with stress, especially for people living in assisted living or memory care communities. When someone feels stressed, they may want to be alone or avoid others, increasing feelings of loneliness and isolation.
Staying connected with others is essential in memory care support settings. Social interactions help keep the mind active and improve mood. If a person withdraws socially, they miss out on these benefits, which can lead to more stress and even depression.
In memory care communities, staff and family members should encourage social activities. They can organize group events or one-on-one time with other residents.
Memory care support teams can help by creating a welcoming and friendly environment. They can offer activities like:
- Art classes
- Music sessions
- Exercise groups
These activities promote socialization and help residents feel more connected and less alone. Being involved with others can help people handle stress better and enjoy healthier lives.
Shifting Away From Unhealthy Ways to Cope With Stress
While stress is inevitable, particularly for seniors facing significant life changes, it’s vital to recognize and avoid unhealthy ways to cope with stress. Emotional eating, skipping meals, substance abuse, excessive sleeping, and social withdrawal can exacerbate stress and lead to further physical and emotional health issues.
Discover the vibrant community life at TerraBella Asheboro, where staying social and connected is at the heart of everything we do. Our residents enjoy diverse events and activities our full-time Director of Celebrations curated, ensuring there’s always something exciting to participate in.
Experience the joy of meaningful connections and endless fun. Contact us today to learn how you or your loved one can thrive at TerraBella Asheboro.
