In independent living communities in Franklin, stress can be a major silent killer. The big question is: are you doing enough to manage it?
In general, there are two approaches to dealing with stress. The first strategy (problem-focused coping) is to face the stress directly. The second approach involves regulating your emotional response to the factors causing you stress.
The second approach is called emotion focused coping. Read on to learn why seniors may benefit from it and how to practice it properly.
The simplest way to describe emotion-focused coping is as a stress management technique. This is also known as emotional regulation or distress tolerance.
The purpose of this technique is to reduce the impact of stressors on your well-being. With seniors, aging and emotions are an interplay of many complex factors. Emotion-focused coping can help you manage those factors efficiently.
This technique can impact seniors in a positive or negative way. When used positively, it's a very effective tool for stress relief. However, emotion-focused coping can also lead to maladaptive behavior, such as:
As mentioned above, problem-focused coping revolves around taking action. Its purpose is to change the external factors contributing to stress. As an external approach, it seeks to solve problems rather than help you cope with them.
Though this technique can be effective, it doesn't deal with all stressors equally well. In many cases, seniors would be better off focusing on reducing their emotional distress instead of changing the actual situation.
By regulating feelings, emotion-focused coping allows the executive functioning parts of your brain to take over. This makes you calmer and more centered, which in turn helps you think clearly and strategically.
Using emotion-focused coping for stress management also allows you to:
Now that you know why emotion-focused coping works, let's talk about how to do it well. Here are some coping strategies particularly suited for seniors:
Meditation allows you to acknowledge all your thoughts, even the difficult ones. You can practice it anytime and anywhere. Even if it feels uncomfortable at first, meditation can provide numerous benefits with consistent practice.
To meditate, sit or lie down in a quiet place and calm your mind. This can involve focusing on your breathing or becoming aware of how your body feels. Once calm, let your thoughts pass by without analyzing or judging them.
Optimism alone won't solve your issues, but it can do a lot for emotional wellness. The key thing to remember here is that positive thinking isn't about ignoring issues. Think of it as putting a positive spin on your challenges.
There are plenty of ways to add positive thinking to your life. Some examples are:
Oftentimes, writing down your feelings can be the first step toward going through them. This is why journaling can offer some emotional catharsis. As you transfer your thoughts to the journal, you may learn to make sense of them.
To get the most out of journaling, try to do it every day. Even if you only have a few minutes, keeping track of your life can be beneficial. Don't think too much about what to journal about; simply write about anything you feel like.
Resilience in older adults is one of the pillars of successful aging. If someone wrongs you, it's much better to let go of the hurt and forgive them. This process can take time, but it will always benefit your emotional wellness.
Practicing forgiveness also comes with other advantages, such as:
It's no secret that bottling up negative emotions can affect your health. Talking it out may not resolve your difficulties, but it can make finding the solution easier. This is especially true if you're talking with someone you trust.
If you have negative feelings about a specific situation, try talking to other people involved in it. There's a chance they don't even realize that this situation has affected you, and they won't realize that unless you tell them.
Reframing a situation involves looking at it from another perspective. This can help you focus on the big picture rather than getting stuck on the details. Chances are, you'll discover that a bad situation isn't as hopeless as you thought.
For example, let's say you're going through a divorce. Instead of looking at it as a purely negative experience, think of it as a chance for self-discovery. This approach also helps you be kinder to yourself and reduce self-blame.
If you've found the coping strategies above unhelpful, it may be time to seek professional help. This is particularly relevant if stress has taken a toll on your sleep and appetite. Prolonged stress in seniors can cause health issues such as:
Stress therapy comes in many effective types. If you live in an independent living community, look into their on-site wellness programs. Chances are, they'll have plenty of ways to help their residents maintain their well-being.
Though it doesn't solve the problem directly, emotion focused coping helps you feel more equipped to approach it. For seniors, regulating your emotions in this way can be an essential step in improving mental health.
At Manor at Steeplechase, we make sure our residents get all the mental health support they need. Our independent living community offers educational seminars, spiritual sessions, fitness programs, and a lot more.
Thinking of becoming a resident of our community? New residents who are military veterans receive half off the first month's rent each year! Contact us here to learn more about our Franklin, TN community!