I was recently joking with one of my senior buddies about how he’s “living the good life, stress free” as a retiree and he was quick to point out that, while he doesn’t report to work every day, the daily stresses of life never go away!
From health issues to bills that seemingly never end to worry about the kids & grandkids to a diminished social life, the point was well made that we can never escape stress and its impact on our lives.
Here are some interesting ways that stress can have a negative impact on the health of seniors:
- Upset Stomach. Stress can lead to inflammation of delicate linings of the stomach and the intestines. Seniors may experience constant heartburn, constipation, or diarrhea due to stress.
- Heart Disease. Stress can lead to higher blood pressure and cholesterol levels, which can lead to issues like heart attacks and strokes. Stress has such a big impact on the heart that sudden intense stress has been known to cause heart attacks instantly.
- Stress changes the way the body metabolizes carbs, fat, and protein, and it encourages the body to store more fat around the gut and midsection.
- Seniors are already at risk of depression and putting them through a lot of stress just worsens the issue.
At Danbury Senior Living, our resort-like lifestyle is focused on taking the stress out of getting older. Give us a call today to learn more!
