Stress and Ways to Manage It

Donna Nichols • September 9, 2024
A person is holding wooden cubes with the words less stress written on them.

What is stress? Stress is a state of worry or mental tension caused by a demanding situation. It is a natural human response that prompts us to address challenges and threats in our lives. Everyone experiences stress to some degree. But the way we respond to stress makes a significant difference to our overall well-being (who.int).

 

How does stress affect us? Stress affects both the mind and the body. A little bit of stress is good and can help us perform daily activities. Too much stress can cause physical and mental health problems, such as headache, sleeping troubles, feeling unwell or lack of focus at work. Uncontrolled stress can lead to more serious issues such as high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, obesity, and diabetes.

 

We must all find ways to manage our stress, and medication isn’t always the answer. There are many ways to help manage your stress that do not involve medication. You might think that you are destressing and relaxing while watching TV or playing a video game, but did you know those make your stress go up over time? Those are examples of idle time; they don’t get you moving; therefore, you’re not releasing the endorphins needed to relieve those nasty stress bugs!

 

Some healthy ways to fight stress are:

 

1.    Get regular exercise as many days as you can. Exercise helps you feel more relaxed, and it also helps you sleep better. Regular exercise releases the endorphins that combat stress and aid in elevating your mood.


2.    Try relaxation techniques; deep breathing, meditation, yoga, or get regular massages. Deep breathing lowers your heart rate and blood pressure and increases your oxygen intake. Meditation can help by allowing you to focus on your breathing and forgetting about the hectic day you may have had. Yoga calms your mind and releases stress through the various poses and stretches. Massages are good for everything! You must practice deep breathing when you are having a massage and your entire body relaxes, so a massage is always an effective way to de-stress.


3.    Maintain a sense of humor. Laughter helps with everything; if you can laugh at yourself, then you can laugh at anything. Laughing releases those endorphins again which helps reduce your stress and improve your mood.


4.    Spend quality time with friends and family. Friends and family can offer a place to share your thoughts and concerns. Sometimes all you need is an ear to listen to what is going on and having someone you can confide in is a wonderful way to get things off your shoulders. They can also remind you how special and important you are.


5.    Read a book, listen to music, or go for a walk. These are more ways to relax and lose yourself for a while. Get lost in your book or your music; take that walk and make it a little longer each time.


6.    Set aside some time to write in a journal. Try to write something each day. Write about what stressed you out; go back to it after about a week or so and see if you are having the same triggers. If so, see what you can do to change things to remove that trigger.


7.    Make sure you get plenty of sleep. You get stressed so much easier when you’re tired. You feel that nothing is going right, and you could just curl up and go to sleep. Try to get 7 – 8 hours of sleep each night.


8.    Try to eat a healthy, well-balanced diet. Eating a lot of junk food will cause your blood pressure to go up, which causes your stress level to increase. Please try to eat a healthy, well-balanced diet to maintain a healthier stress level and blood pressure level too. I’m not saying you can’t splurge and have that burger or ice cream every now and then, just in moderation.


9.    Stay away from alcohol and drugs. Drugs and alcohol only make us numb and put us in a state of depression, which what? You got it, increases our stress! Stay away from them! You can have the social drink or two, but don’t drink to forget your problems, they will only be enhanced by the alcohol or drug.



10. Stay away from the TV news. Watching the news on TV these days is enough to stress anyone out; just don’t do it! Watch a game show, or a comedy; remember laughter helps release those endorphins!!!

 

You can manage your stress without medication. Just making some minor changes in your life can make a big difference! If you are a caregiver and need ways to cope, we at Assisted Living Made Simple hold 4 Alzheimer’s caregiver support groups a month. If you’re trying to cope with the grief of a loved one, we have two grief support groups a month. If you need to find placement for elderly loved ones, we can assist you with that as well. Just give us a call on 386-847-2322 to learn more about our services, which are all free!

 


Hitting pause is the importance of pausing to manage stress.

Why Are Seniors Always So Cold?

By Donna Nichols • March 9, 2026
If you’ve ever walked into a room full of older adults and noticed the sweaters, shawls, and space heaters humming in the corner, you’re not imagining it — many seniors really do feel colder than everyone else. And it’s not just a quirk. There are real, physical reasons behind it, and understanding them can make daily life a lot more comfortable. 1. Our Internal Thermostat Changes Over Time As we age, the body becomes less efficient at regulating temperature. The internal “thermostat” in the brain doesn’t respond as quickly to cold, so seniors may feel chilly even when the room is warm enough for others. 2. Less Muscle = Less Heat Muscle mass naturally decreases with age, and muscle is what helps generate body heat. With less of it, the body simply produces less warmth. Even active seniors may notice they get cold more easily than they used to. 3. Thinner Skin and Reduced Circulation Skin becomes thinner over time, offering less insulation. On top of that, circulation often slows, meaning warm blood takes longer to reach hands, feet, and other extremities. This is why fingers and toes are often the first to feel icy. 4. Medications Can Play a Role Many common medications — including those for blood pressure, thyroid issues, or depression — can affect how warm or cold someone feels. It’s not always the medication itself, but how it interacts with the body’s temperature signals. 5. Underlying Health Conditions Conditions like anemia, diabetes, thyroid disorders, or poor circulation can all contribute to feeling cold. Sometimes, persistent chilliness is the body’s way of asking for a check-in with a healthcare provider. 6. Hydration and Nutrition Matter More Than You Think Dehydration and low-calorie intake can both make the body feel colder. Seniors who don’t drink enough water or who eat lightly may notice they’re chilly more often. Simple Ways to Stay Warm and Comfortable • Layer up with breathable fabrics • Keep moving — even gentle stretching boosts circulation • Warm beverages throughout the day • Use blankets or heated throws safely • Check room drafts and adjust thermostat settings • Talk with a doctor if coldness is new or worsening A Warm Note to Close Feeling cold isn’t a sign of weakness — it’s a natural part of aging. With a few small adjustments and a little awareness, seniors can stay cozy, comfortable, and confident all year long.

How the Spring Season Helps Us Heal

By Donna Nichols • March 3, 2026
Spring has a way of softening the world. The air warms, the light lingers, and suddenly the small things — a bird call, a new bloom, a gentle breeze — feel like invitations to breathe a little deeper. For many seniors, especially those carrying grief, stress, or the weight of a long winter, March can feel like a quiet turning point. Here’s why spring so often brings emotional renewal, no matter your age. 1. Light Returns, and So Does Energy Longer days naturally lift mood. More sunlight helps regulate sleep, boosts energy, and gently nudges the body out of winter’s heaviness. Even a few minutes outside can shift the way the day feels. 2. Nature Models Healing Spring is a season of second chances. Trees bud again, flowers push through the soil, and the world rebuilds itself without rushing. For seniors navigating loss or change, this slow, steady renewal can feel reassuring — a reminder that healing isn’t linear, but it is possible. 3. Movement Feels More Natural Warmer weather encourages small steps: a walk to the mailbox, a few minutes on the porch, tending to a plant. These simple movements help ease stiffness, improve mood, and reconnect the body with the world around it. 4. Social Life Blossoms Too As the weather improves, people naturally come out of hibernation. Neighbors chat outside, community events pick up, and families gather more often. Even brief interactions can brighten a day and reduce feelings of isolation. 5. Spring Encourages Reflection — and Release There’s something about fresh air and open windows that invites a mental reset. Many seniors find themselves sorting through memories, letting go of what no longer serves them, and making space for what’s next. A Season That Meets You Where You Are Spring doesn’t demand big changes. It simply offers gentle reminders: you’re still growing, still healing, still here. Whether you’re grieving, rebuilding, or simply ready for a lighter season, March brings a quiet kind of hope — one that arrives softly and stays.

Winter Wellness: Staying Safe and Steady in February

By Donna Nichols • February 5, 2026
The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.