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How to DeStress and Calm the Mind

Donna Nichols • February 1, 2021

“The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another.” – William James

To find out what stress can do to you and your body, read our blog about the role stress plays in chronic illnesses.

So, you may wonder how you can de-stress yourself or help someone else de-stress.

The number one way to alleviate stress is… laughter !!!

Friends and laughter are great ways to destress

Make someone laugh, or if you’re the one needing stress relief, watch a stupid sitcom, or read a silly book.

For example, Monday, 1/4/21, was my first day back to work after a week’s vacation. I wasn’t really stressed when I got home, just tired. I just wasn’t in the mood for anything; I sat down to watch TV with my husband, Big Bang Theory, which I think is pretty stupid.

That night it had me rolling. I was laughing so hard, I guess I was so tired that everything was funny.

Sometimes, there’s nothing quite as good as a great belly laugh. If you have access to a computer, search for videos of babies laughing. That is the most wonderful sound in the world and you can’t help but not smile and/or laugh at that sound.

My favorite way to de-stress is to get a massage , but they cost money and never last long enough. Just about the time you’re relaxing, time is up and your massage is over. I know some of you don’t care for massages, so here are some other ways to de-stress your mind and body.

Don’t eat too much sugar , it can slow you down and make you feel sluggish. I know that our blog about the best foods to eat mentions dark chocolate, but you can’t overdo it, one piece is enough. Not only can too much sugar cause sluggishness, but it can also lead to diabetes and other serious illnesses if not eaten in moderation.

Moderation is the key to everything!!

Listen to music! Music can be so calming and relaxing. If you’re able to, dance along with the music, dancing releases the bad energy built up in your body and helps ease your mind and soul.

Speaking of dancing, that leads us into our next way to de-stress, exercise.

Any type of exercise you are able to do is beneficial.

Did you know that exercise can help generate new brain cells?

Think about how smart we’d all be if we exercised regularly!!

If you’re unable to stand, try some chair exercises, lift your feet (one at a time) off the floor and hold for as long as you can. Roll your shoulders and your neck, hold your arms out and make circles with them, anything to get your blood flowing in a better direction.

Breathing exercises are great as well. Meditation and yoga have been known to calm down the entire body. However, if you’re anything like me, you can’t meditate, so just close your eyes and take some deep breaths.

Make sure you breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. Breathing this way helps to slow your heart rate and decrease any stress you may feel. Go to a happy place while breathing and feel the stress exiting your body when you release the breath.

Try to become active in your community; this will give you something to occupy your mind. If your neighborhood has a watch, become a member, if not; check out your local community center or council on aging to volunteer.

Being around others (safely) can help you de-stress and ease your mind.

So, how do you de-stress and calm the mind?

Laugh, get a massage, don’t eat too much sugar, listen to music, sing and dance, exercise in general, meditation, yoga, just breathe, or volunteer in your community.

No matter how you choose to de-stress, please choose a way, stress is no good for your body or your mind, it can create havoc on you physically and mentally.

If you need help or encouragement as a Caregiver give us a call at  386-847-2322  or check out our  Caregiver Support Group. Our  Senior Advisors  are here to walk with you through this journey.

Make Valentine’s Day Special for Seniors

By Donna Nichols • February 5, 2025
Valentine’s Day tends to zero in on romantic love, but what about our seniors? They too often get forgotten. We have some ways to make Valentine’s Day special for them too. Spend the day with your loved one. Spending quality time with a loved one is more important to a senior than anything else. There is no greater gift than time and please make sure you have enough, so you are not rushed. Do your elderly loved one have a favorite meal? Perhaps you can prepare it for them, or if they are able, you can prepare it together. How fun would that be for you both? Be sure to discuss the enjoyment it brought you while you are sharing the meal together. How about a game of name that love song? You could prepare a playlist of love songs from the generation and play them to see how many they get correct. Or, if you can sing, you can sing some for them and see if they can recollect them. Take some time for reminiscing, go through old photo albums, or ask about old times. Ask them about when you were young and what trouble you caused; this will give you all something to laugh (or cry) about. Has your loved one been cooped up all winter? Take them out for a nice lunch, or weather permitting, a picnic in the park. Go for coffee and a donut, then head out to see a movie. Make a “date” of it. Maybe your senior is into crafts. You can design special Valentine’s Day cards for other family members. This way your senior can express their love for them and send it to them in their own unique way. You can create other greeting cards as well. Bake some special treats together. Does your senior have some favorite cookies or cake? You could bake it together, or you can bake it for them. Then you can enjoy it after you have the meal you prepared together. Yummy, delicious!! You can watch some romantic movies together if they prefer to stay in the house or the weather isn’t so good. If they like to color, you can buy them some of those large coloring books and you can color together. Don’t forget the decorations and the flowers! Make the house or apartment as festive as possible. Even if they live in as assisted living community, you can still decorate their room to the nines! Make it as festive as possible! If you live in another state or can’t be close to your senior for Valentine’s Day, how about sending them a specially crafted care package. You can hand make some gifts, add some photos of family and friends, and send a personally recorded message. You can bake some homemade treats and incorporate some things that are of personal interest to them. This will show how much you care for them and make their Valentine’s Day extra special even if you can’t be with them.  There are so many ways to make Valentine’s Day special for seniors. Let’s not forget about them; make sure to show them they are so loved too!

February is National Heart Month

By Donna Nichols • February 4, 2025
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Hydration Tips for the Winter

By Donna Nichols • January 8, 2025
I’ve written many blogs about the importance of staying hydrated in the summer, but did you know it’s just as important to stay hydrated in the winter months? I’ve shared some important tips on how to stay hydrated in the winter and why. Cold, dry air can dehydrate you easily and quickly. Even if you don’t feel thirsty. Proper hydration can help regulate your body temperature, maintain healthy organ function, and prevent fatigue, dry skin, and headaches. In the colder months, you do not feel thirsty, that’s why it’s so important to make sure you drink plenty of water. Why is winter hydration so important? Colder air tends to be drier causing moisture to evaporate through your breathing which can cause dehydration. In colder weather, you may not feel as thirsty, causing you to become dehydrated quickly. Also, wearing more clothing traps sweat inside your clothing causing more fluid loss. What are some of the benefits of staying hydrated in the winter? • Drinking enough water helps keep your skin hydrated and prevents dryness. This will help with that dry, itchy skin feeling we all get in the winter. • Water helps your body maintain a regular core temperature. Which is so important to maintain in the winter. • Drinking plenty of water supports your immune system, which helps fight off winter colds and the flu. We all want to fight those germs off! • When you are dehydrated, you become tired easily, so drinking plenty of water helps keep your energy levels up. How do you stay hydrated in the winter? • Make sure you drink plenty of water. Set reminders if you must; you probably won’t feel as thirsty in the winter, but you need to keep drinking that water! • You don’t have to drink cold water; room temperature water works. You can also drink tea or water with lemon, as long as you’re getting your water. • If you’re going out, carry a water bottle with you to ensure you have water to drink. • Eat fruits and vegetables that contain water. Tomatoes, lettuce, strawberries, watermelon, cauliflower, mushrooms, cucumber, apples, and pineapple are just a few that contain high water contents. • If you think you’re dehydrated, check your urine; if it’s a darker color, that can suggest dehydration. Urine should be a pale, yellow color. As you can see, staying hydrated in the winter is just as important as staying hydrated in the summer, if not more. In the winter you don’t realize you are thirsty therefore you tend not to drink as much water as you should. This has the potential of wreaking havoc on your body. Please make sure you drink plenty of water in the wintertime as you do in the summertime. We have rebranded our company, we are now Assisted Senior Services! Call us for ANYTHING SENIOR!! 386-847-2322!
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