Relieving Stress and Depression for Healthy Aging

It is a well-proven fact that stress and depression can shorten your life span and drastically reduce your quality of life.

It is a well-proven fact that stress and depression can shorten your life span and drastically reduce your quality of life. Stress can speed up the aging process and your body finds it harder to fight off illness and serious disease.  Stress and depression affect your immune system and you may find you have more frequent colds, stomach problems, and other stress related problems.  You can age gracefully and maintain better health if you take steps to ward off depression and stress.

What are some fun and helpful ways of relieving stress and depression?  There are a few tips that may help you make the most of every day. 

* Eat healthy!  This means stay away from refined sugar, empty calorie snack foods, and fatty meats.  There are many choices of snacks and foods that will keep your body satisfied and feeling full.  Eating chocolate or sugar products will not help depression.  These foods may increase your symptoms of stress and depression.  Eat fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats, and whole grains.  You could be surprised how much better you will feel by removing processed sugars from your diet!

* Exercise regularly.  Physical exercise is important for many reasons.  It keeps your body from growing stiff, decreases stress, and allows you to take in oxygen that is needed for the body to work properly.  Start out walking or doing low impact exercises or yoga.  Walk around the block, listen to the sounds of nature and let your mind go blank.  If you are just beginning an exercise program, check with your doctor before you begin.  A little exercise is better than no exercise at all.

Center For Healthy Aging Seniors It can have a negative effect on the quality of your life. They are making pain management a real priority in patient care. Relieving pain will help you physically as well as mentally. Pain management is an important part of healthy aging. 8 Fun Tips to Fight Depression and Stress! Are you one of those people who impatiently wait for spring to arrive?

* Adopt a pet.  It is well-known that a family pet will help relieve stress and anxiety.  Nursing homes are allowing pets to be brought in because they have such a positive benefit on residents.  Many senior communities and assisted living facilities allow pets and even encourage them.  Play with your pet, stroke it or pet it, you will feel the tension slip away.

* Take time to relax.  You may feel you always have to be on the go, or doing something.  You don't!  Take the time to relax, drink a cup of tea or coffee and sit in a sunny room.  Weather is gloomy?  Watch the ever-changing patterns in the sky, the trees as they bend in the wind, and listen to the soothing sound of rain on the roof.

If you fall victim to winter or gloomy weather, work each day to make yourself enjoy the day.  Find something you are thankful for, call a friend, watch a favorite movie on TV, or take the time to engage in your favorite hobby or pastime.  Stress and depression will take a toll on your body both physically and emotionally.  Think positive and make each day important.  Enjoy your family, hold and look into the eyes of a baby, and treat yourself to a bubble bath or special outing.  You will find you are aging in a healthy way and could give you a longer lifespan.

Healthy Aging Issues Today

07/03/2008
Aging agencies await news on funding (The Tribune-Democrat)
SOMERSET – While about 100 seniors wait for services to help them stay independent, administrators for Area Agencies on Aging still need news on whether the state’s budget will ease waiting lists for in-home care.

Aging agencies await news on funding (The Tribune-Democrat)

07/03/2008
Commission on Aging campus may be smoke-free (The Morning Sun)
When the newly constructed Commission on Aging facility opens this fall, it may be a smoke-free campus. The smoking ban will be discussed by the Isabella County Board of Commissioners at anAugust meeting.

Commission on Aging campus may be smoke-free (The Morning Sun)

07/04/2008
Dept. of aging encourages heat safety (Fremont News-Messenger)
COLUMBUS -- The Ohio Department of Aging encourages all Ohioans to consider how extreme heat and severe weather can affect their older friends and loved ones, and those with disabilities, this summer, and help them prepare for and recover from severe weather events.

Dept. of aging encourages heat safety (Fremont News-Messenger)

07/04/2008
Anonymous donor funds half-year of Council on Aging director position (Shirley Oracle)
SHIRLEY -- The Council on Aging (COA) director's position that Annual Town Meeting voters funded for half a year will be funded for a full year, thanks to an anonymous gift.

Anonymous donor funds half-year of Council on Aging director position (Shirley Oracle)

07/03/2008
Wine compound may reduce effects of aging: new research (CBC)
A compound in red wine may slow some of the ravages of aging, reducing bone loss, the formation of cataracts and balance problems, and improving liver and muscle function, new research suggests.

Wine compound may reduce effects of aging: new research (CBC)

07/03/2008
Resveratrol found to improve health, but not longevity in aging mice on standard diet (PhysOrg)
Scientists have found that the compound resveratrol slows age-related deterioration and functional decline of mice on a standard diet, but does not increase longevity when started at middle age. This study, conducted and supported in part by the National Institute on Aging (NIA), part of the National Institutes of Health, is a follow-up to 2006 findings that resveratrol improves health and ...

Resveratrol found to improve health, but not longevity in aging mice on standard diet (PhysOrg)

07/03/2008
Commission on Aging campus may be smoke-free (The Morning Sun)
When the newly constructed Commission on Aging facility opens this fall, it may be a smoke-free campus. The smoking ban will be discussed by the Isabella County Board of Commissioners at anAugust meeting.

Commission on Aging campus may be smoke-free (The Morning Sun)

07/03/2008
Red wine ingredient may reduce signs of aging: study (CTV.ca)
A compound in red wine may ward off many of the signs of aging, including cardiovascular disease, cataracts and decreased bone density, a new study says.

Red wine ingredient may reduce signs of aging: study (CTV.ca)