Stress-Free Living After 50

​Everyone experiences stress, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn't learn how to cope with it. As we age, even if we are not currently in a high stress environment, our bodies still accumulate and hold onto stress.
 
Stress can lead to issues such as high blood pressure, fatigue or sleeplessness, and it can also lead to other mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. 

​Melody Living’s senior retirement community in Lake in the Hills strives to incorporate the 8 Dimensions of Wellness into daily life. Physical, emotional, and environmental wellness play a key point in helping to bring down stress levels and ensure our residents have proper coping mechanisms to get through times that may increase their stress levels.

​Physical Activity
Cortisol is the stress hormone, when we have high cortisol levels for long periods of time, it can negatively affect our health. Staying active can help keep cortisol levels low and under control.
 
Regular physical activity also helps to boost your mood. An average of two and a half hours worth of well rounded physical activity each week including flexibility, cardio, and strength is a good goal to keep in mind. 

​Melody Living plans weekly fitness activities into our calendars each month, including strength training, stretches, and exercise classes with our partners at Paxxon Health Services. We also try to include fun games such as kickball or balloon hockey to keep up cardio health in residents with limited mobility. 

Meditation
Meditation is a great way to calm the mind and take a rest. Meditation can help to improve sleep, create better focus, and reduce negative emotions. The addition of aromatherapy can enhance the effects of meditation as well. Try utilizing essential oils such as peppermint, lavender, or rosemary.
 
Calming Activities
There are many relaxing activities that you can take up to reduce stress such as drawing or listening to music. Adult coloring pages are a great way to shift your focus away from stress, play some classical music in the background for an effective stress reducing activity. 

​Nutrition
Eating a balanced diet is another great way to help keep stress levels low. Our in-house gourmet chef always uses seasonal foods to create quality meals for our residents. Consuming healthy, freshly made meals or snacks reduces the negative effects stress can have on your body as well. Keeping things healthy from the inside out is so important!
 
Wellness is key to life at Melody Living and we are proud to be a community where hospitality, relationships, and resident wellness are our top priorities. Stop by for a tour to discover what a Life in Harmony™ is like. To learn more about our assisted living and memory care communities, visit our contact page or give us a call at 847.957.7070.