Resilient aging amid the stress of life

Published 1:35 pm Tuesday, August 1, 2017

It has been said many times that aging is not for the faint of heart. As we mature into our second half of life, we face some different stressors than we did in our younger days. 

We believed that if we made it through our own adolescent crises, earning degrees and working long hours while raising families, that surely those empty nest years and retirement would be nothing but stress free. Only when we get there do we realize that this new chapter of life brings on a whole new set of stressors that we never saw coming.   

What is so stressful about aging? As in all other phases of life, it involves adapting to change. Many people move from a place where they have established a sense of community over the years. Some downsize from the home where they raised their family to a smaller apartment or move in with family. Others may relocate to another community to be closer to relatives to help care for their needs.

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Along with this is a sense of grief over leaving their familiar environment and memories of places and people that they hold dear.

As our bodies change physically, we may have to alter the way that we do our routines and worry about our independence. We may have to accept help from others for tasks that we have always done for ourselves.

Retirement and social security is a time of reduced income. Some may face financial struggles, especially if there is some unforeseen emergency that takes a toll on our savings. We may worry about our children and grandchildren or have family problems that weigh on us.

Although we can experience losses of loved ones at any age, in the second half of life, grieving the death of friends and family members becomes a common experience. 

If not managed well, stress shows up in our body and can affect our health. It can affect the cardiovascular system through heart disease, high blood pressure, strokes and migraines. 

Stress can manifest in the gastronomic system by producing ulcers, stomach pain and diarrhea.  Some people carry their stress in their muscular/skeletal system with back or neck pain. Stress can even affect our immune systems making us more susceptible to illness.    

Can we put together a lifestyle that helps us do more than survive life’s stressors? A lifestyle that actually helps us thrive? People who do the best at managing stress and living a productive life possess a quality of resilience, or the ability to bounce back from life’s difficulties. They are generally optimistic, able to remain calm in a crisis and think up creative solutions to challenges. 

Resilient people find the humor in life and ways to laugh at themselves. Spiritual and religious beliefs can also play an important part in resiliency. Having a sense of hope and meaning and purpose helps us keep pressing forward when difficulties arise.

At all ages of life, we need to find ways to nurture our resilience so that we are able to better manage life’s stressors. 

The most important thing to do is take care of our bodies by eating properly and getting an adequate amount of exercise. When we find that stress is caving in on us, pacing ourselves so as not to become overwhelmed and finding something to do that is relaxing or nurtures our soul are important to our self care. 

Take time to acknowledge and grieve your losses as they arrive. Seeking out persons for support to share your journey at this stage of life allows you to feel more connected. For many it is important to nurture a sense of calling, meaning and purpose. They are able to do this by giving back through civic organizations, volunteering or through work in their faith community.

Julie Flores is the chaplain coordinator at Centra Southside Community Hospital. She can be reached at (434) 315-2488.