Stress Awareness Month: Understanding Stress and Aging in Seniors

Many people know April best for its "April Fool's Day." However, there's something more crucial that everyone, especially seniors, should observe: Stress Awareness Month.

One reason is the long list of adverse effects of stress on aging, including physical and mental concerns. Stress levels are also rising, with a survey showing that 54% of Americans 55 and over have felt more stressed since January 2025, according to BusinessWire.com.

Stress Awareness Month, focused on stress-related issues, aims to spread awareness about how this physiological (bodily) response can affect the mind and body. It also promotes holistic well-being by sharing knowledge regarding stress management.

So, join our team at The Watermark at Brooklyn Heights, our senior living community in Brooklyn, NY, as we share insights into stress and how older adults can observe Stress Awareness Month.

Understanding Stress: When It Benefits and Harms

Stress is a natural, physiological response to stressors, anything the body perceives as demanding or threatening, including:

  • Events
  • Situations
  • External stimuli

When the body encounters a stressor, it activates its "fight or flight" response. It prepares a person to address the stressor either by facing it ("fight") or escaping ("flight").

Such reactions stem from an influx of stress hormones, particularly cortisol and epinephrine (adrenaline). They're signaling molecules that cause physiological changes, such as:

  • Raising blood sugar levels
  • Increasing the availability and amount of tissue-repairing substances
  • Heightening blood pressure
  • Speeding up heartbeat
  • Boosting energy levels

All those effects of stress are beneficial in the short term, especially during dangerous moments (e.g., an emergency). However, when they become chronic (long-term) and unmanaged, they can lead to numerous problems, including hastened biological aging.

Chronic Stress and Aging Faster

SciTechDaily.com cites a study that links long-term stress with biological aging. The researchers found evidence that stress causes the brain to exhibit signs of senescence and DNA damage. Senescence is the biological process of growing old, including the gradual decline of a living organism's characteristics and functions.

Other Detrimental Health Effects of Long-Term Stress

When the stress response system is always "active," it can interfere with almost all body processes. For example, the Mayo Clinic says chronic stress can lead to health problems like:

  • Cardiovascular issues like heart attack, heart disease, hypertension (high blood pressure), and stroke
  • Mental health problems, such as anxiety and depression
  • Sleep woes
  • Pain, including muscle tension, muscle aches, and headaches
  • Digestive concerns
  • Cognitive problems like focus and memory impairments
  • Weight gain

Tips for Observing Stress Awareness Month (All Year Round)

Considering how chronic stress can cause many unpleasant effects, managing it is key to achieving optimal physical, cognitive, and mental health in elderly individuals.

Luckily, there are many effective yet simple senior stress management tactics older adults in Brooklyn, NY, can implement. Here are some to try starting this April 2025 Stress Awareness Month.

Get More "Green" and "Blue" Time In

Green time means spending time in green spaces, while blue time refers to spending time in or near water. Both are effective relaxation techniques for seniors.

Indeed, according to an article in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, nature interactions are "good for the mind and body." The researchers have presented evidence that such activities have an association with multiple positive health components, including:

  • Decreased depression
  • Reduced anxiety
  • Lower stress
  • Increased physical activity
  • More sleep
  • Higher fruit and vegetable consumption

The good news is that despite being highly urbanized, Brooklyn, NY, offers residents many green and blue spaces. Here are just some that seniors should consider spending time in:

  • Fort Stirling Park
  • Cadman Plaza Park
  • Walt Whitman Park
  • Brooklyn Bridge Park
  • Squibb Park

All those beautiful, well-maintained green and blue spaces are just minutes from The Watermark at Brooklyn Heights, our senior living community in Brooklyn, NY. We're also proud of our community's onsite rooftop terrace garden that offers spectacular views of the East River. Our greenhouse and beautiful outdoor areas also encourage our residents to get more nature interactions and exposure!

Practice Mindfulness for Seniors

Mindfulness is the practice of being fully aware of the present moment, including one's:

  • Bodily sensations
  • Feelings
  • Thoughts

Seniors may find mindfulness an effective stress reliever since it allows them to process the above without overreacting or getting lost in their thoughts.

Science also backs the many potential benefits of this practice. For example, a study published in BMC Public Health looked into the effects of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) strategies in older adults with depression. The researchers found that MBSR:

  • Led to a significant reduction in symptoms of depression
  • Enhanced emotion regulation
  • Improved sleep quality

Breathing exercises, which focus on how the body inhales and exhales deeply, are an excellent way to start. Mind mapping or scanning is another; it involves breaking negative feelings or thoughts into tidbits, making them easier to tackle one at a time. Nature-based activities (e.g., walking or relaxing in green or blue spaces) can also help.

Stay Social

The U.S. CDC says social connections bring many benefits, including:

  • Reducing the risk of severe illnesses and chronic diseases like stroke, dementia, heart disease, depression, and anxiety
  • Improving stress, anxiety, and depression management capabilities
  • Encouraging healthy habits, including physical activity and healthy eating
  • Improving sleep quality

Social connections and interactions can help since they induce positive feelings and a sense of calmness and wellness.

At The Watermark at Brooklyn Heights, our residents enjoy numerous daily opportunities to connect with others and avoid social isolation. Our senior living community in Brooklyn, NY, encourages socialization with our robust calendar of activities and events, from group fitness classes to art sessions, rousing games of bingo, and educational programs.

Manage Stress Levels Today and Every Day

Although Stress Awareness Month is only in April, the valuable insights and strategies it shares are applicable 24/7/365. From helping improve physical health to boosting emotional wellness and elevating cognitive well-being, these are the top reasons Brooklyn seniors should manage their stress daily.

At The Watermark at Brooklyn Heights, our residents' physical, mental, and cognitive well-being is our priority. As such, we've meticulously designed our senior living community in Brooklyn, NY, with all the essentials to keep them happy and live their golden years with as little stress as possible. From 24/7 support to senior-centered activities and programs, expect to find relaxation and engagement here.

Get in touch today to schedule a tour of our beautiful senior living community!

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