Anxiety is the feeling of apprehension or fear about current or future circumstances. It is a completely normal reaction that can help a person with approaching stress and remain alert in dangerous situations. However, with the increased number of stressors present in everyday life now, it can become a debilitating condition instead of a healthy coping mechanism.
The key deciding factor is a person’s anxiety management techniques. Without the proper approach, an overwhelming anxiety disorder can lead to worrying mental and physical consequences. Here are some things to keep in mind to help ease the feelings of anxiety in seniors.
Practice Mindfulness
When it comes to anxiety, gaining awareness and control over your mind can help with identifying early onset symptoms and self-soothing. For example, being aware of the sensations that you are experiencing like an elevated heart rate or uneven breathing can ensure that you are able to distance yourself from anxiety-inducing situations or seek help. Practice mindfulness by taking part in meditation, journaling, and even therapy.
Effective Communication
If you or your loved one are prone to feelings of debilitating anxiety, it is important to establish reliable communication channels. In most cases, it is important to have someone who is willing to listen without judgment. Even if the issues causing the feelings are not realistic or highly unlikely, it is important to not dismiss them. Instead, encouragement and reassurance are a necessity in creating a safe space for them to air out their feelings.
Maintain a Routine
When it comes to anxiety, a lot of the feelings stem from the loss of control or a sense of uncertainty about what is to come. To help with this, creating a routine with predictable activities that one can fall back onto can bring about a lot of comfort even in stressful circumstances. This does not necessarily have to be a full day routine, even smaller self-care rituals before bed or when a person wakes up can help.
Look for Help
When it comes to improving your mental health, the most important thing is that you do not have to do it alone. If you are finding it hard to manage your negative emotions effectively by yourself or have been feeling overwhelming levels of anxiety, it is best to look for professional advice to gain better clarity and guidance. The needs of each person are different and looking for help from a trained professional ensures that you will be able to have unique support that caters to your lifestyle preferences and circumstances.
At TerraBella Spartanburg, we offer a wide range of different amenities to the residents in our senior living community. Among them are comprehensive therapy services that are easily available on-site to provide the necessary support for optimal wellbeing. On top of this, we offer a wide range of different programs that boosts an individual’s ability to enjoy a holistic approach to wellbeing.
For more information on our senior living community and our approach to anxiety and mental health, contact us today through this online form or by calling us at 864-465-8604.
