Problems Seniors Face During the Holidays
Here in the midst or the holiday rush, celebrations and remembrances, let's keep in mind those among us who are less fortunate, not necessarily in terms of material possessions. Rather, let's look at the elderly and their Holiday Blues.
We have heard that the holidays are the worst time of the year for stress, particularly among the elderly population. If you are in the younger generation, recognize the effects of the holidays on the elders in your lives.
Their children have grown and left home - often having moved too far away to visit for the holidays. Those children have children of their own - maybe even their own grandchildren - leaving the elder family member the sense of being left out.
Health problems have set in, and the colder weather "makes the bones ache." Serious health problems just seem to be more pronounced in the colder months.
Often, the life-long spouse is no longer with them. Friends and family members have gone on to their rewards, leaving the senior alone and fearful.
Perhaps, they have gone to some facility to receive more intense and better care. Often, such placement was not of their choosing, and they refuse to admit that they are unable to take care of themselves. They feel that they have been rejected and forgotten and their lives are not worth living any longer.
Here is the opportunity to show that loved one that you care. Try to arrange a visit or at least a long telephone call. Try to involve the elderly in your family's celebrations as much as distance will permit. Let them know that they are still a vital part of your lives.
You might want to consider a free service such as Skype. With Skype, you and he/she can conduct voice and video calls at no cost - other than a small initial deposit to cover the charges for any calls to a land or cell phone not in the Skype network. He/she must have a computer or a tablet, and you might need to help him/her set up the software, but with such a service the elderly person will be able to participate face-to-face in family activities - even at a distance, and at no cost!.
Try to encourage the senior to get involved in something that will help their disposition. Activities to control stress and emotions are important to reducing the Blues. Such control leads to better health and a more contented life.
There are a number of studies which demonstrate that reducing stress reduces the risk of heart problems significantly, and stress is a huge factor in causing illness and even suicide.
So what can older folks (and the younger generation, for that matter) do? The following exercises will help the body cope with stress during the holidays and all year round:
Deep breathing exercises - As you are sitting or lying down, take a deep breath in and count to 8. Exhale slowly to a count of 8. Repeat this several times to calm your body so you can deal with a stressful situation with a clear mind.
Neck and shoulder exercises - Stress causes tightness in your neck and shoulders. Relieve that tension by shrugging your shoulders up and down slowly and rolling them back. Relieve tension in your neck by slowly turning the head to look from side to side. Then gently tilt the head bringing the right ear toward the right shoulder. Repeat on the left.
Walk - If the weather allows, put on a pair of walking shoes and go for a 20-minute walk. This allows your body to release muscle tension and remove excess levels of chemicals caused by stress. A walk to look at the holiday decorations in your neighborhood or town is a fun way to de-stress during the holiday season.If weather does not cooperate, try to go to an indoor mall and take a stroll.
Aerobic exercise - Doing an aerobic workout - even a light one - to music does wonders to improve mood and energize the body. There's nothing like it to cleanse the body of impurities and ease the mind.
This holiday season, give yourself the gift of exercise - the best tool for dealing with stress. And resolve to make exercise a regular part of your new year.
