Ways for Women Over 50 to Relieve Stress

Stress is prevalent among women over the age of 50. Women are 50% more stressed than men from the same age group, and this gap is exacerbated as women age and take on more and more responsibilities. With stress being a significant contributor to the most prevalent and deadly diseases in the US, we need to relieve stress. Women over 50 can experience a better quality of life managing their stress levels. 

Stress can come from anything. From demanding jobs to struggles in our personal lives, there is no way to escape stress entirely. 

Luckily, there are various ways we can successfully cope with it. 

Anyone can try these stress relievers as they are all-natural and don’t require you to make drastic changes in your life. Simply by adopting one or all of these tools, people can reduce their stress levels and start leading healthier and happier lives. 

Meditation

Meditation is relatively popular among individuals from all around the globe. This practice requires us to abstract from all thoughts and concentrate solely on the present moment. It’s also very convenient, as it doesn’t require equipment, a lot of space, or time.

There are different meditation types, including reciting encouraging mantras, practicing mindfulness, or simply paying attention to your surroundings. Although it may not sound too complex, multiple benefits attribute to meditation, including relieving stress in the short and long term. 

Meditation can also aid in conditions related to or worsened by stress, like Irritable Bowel Syndrome, depression, fatigue, and even Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. 

If you are experiencing stress, try sitting down and meditating. If you are new to meditation, there’s plenty of material and guided meditation apps available online that can walk you through this excellent practice. 

Using essential oils

Aromatherapy and essential oils are incredibly effective in reducing stress. Depending on the essential oil, you can experience an energy boost, feel more relaxed or less anxious.

Studies have shown that just by using certain essential oils, the body can increase the hormones responsible for making you feel better and decreasing the hormones responsible for stress. 

Other beneficial uses for essential oils include anti-aging, treating skin conditions, improving sleep quality, soothing inflammation, reducing anxiety, and improving concentration. Using essential oils can also help you cope with some of the symptoms of menopause.

From the dozens of different essential oils in existence, here are some of the most commonly related to relieving stress:

1. Lavender Essential Oil
2. Lemon Essential Oil
3. Bergamot Essential Oil
4. Iris Essential Oil

Try enjoying a diffuser, lighting a candle, or applying a skin product containing essential oils and let them do the rest.

Yoga 

Any type of exercise can relieve stress, as physical activity causes our bodies to release hormones such as serotonin, dopamine, and endorphins, making us feel happy and relaxed. Exercise also suppresses hormones related to stress and depression. 

Yoga is so successful in helping people relieve stress because it combines light exercise with meditation, constant stretching, and controlled breathing, all of which are also stress relievers.   

Although incorporating yoga into your life can be a challenge initially, practicing yoga’s long-term benefits include improved heart health and reduced inflammation. It can also combat more severe conditions like chronic pain, anxiety, and depression. 

Talking 

Sometimes, people may find they have many stressful situations in their lives and feel overwhelmed by their emotions. In these circumstances, stress can lead people to have negative thoughts, and stress can develop into anxiety or depression. That’s why it is essential to express our emotions.

Talking to someone has been proved to be effective in combating stress. Another person’s opinion not only can let us see things from a different, more positive perspective, but it can also provide a sense of comfort. Knowing another person supports you and understands your struggles is both empowering and comforting. 

Try talking to a close friend or relative about your situation. And even if you don’t feel like talking, simply receiving a hug from a person you care about is said to reduce stress and release tension in the body.

Throughout our lives, we will encounter many situations we can’t control, and that can cause us to feel stress, anxiety, or even depression. And as our body and mind age, we become more susceptible to the effects of stress. To avoid mental and physiological conditions, we should focus more on leading more relaxed and peaceful lives, and we can start by incorporating healthy habits into our daily lives.

LivingBetter50 is a magazine for women over 50, offering an over 50 magazine free download for women with spirit!