Healthy Living Newsletter

Major depression affects only 2.2 percent of Americans age 65 and older; but 15 to 20 percent of all seniors suffer from substantial symptoms of depression.

Lower Your Stress, Lengthen Your Life

Every day for three years, George and Sue marked off the days on their kitchen calendar. When retirement day finally arrived, their life ahead loomed as an eternal vacation - no early morning wake-up calls, no scurrying around after work to complete chores.

Less than a year later, Sue was grimacing and having a difficult time with those every day chores because of arthritis in both hands. George, discovering that retirement was not to his liking, had taken a part-time job.

There are many reasons the senior years can be the most relaxing of your life. And there are many reasons they can be the most stressful.

Declining health, the death of a loved one, isolation and money problems are common.

Stress takes a toll on the human body, weakening the immune system and leaving the individual vulnerable to heart attack, stroke and other health problems. It may affect eating, sleeping and drinking habits. Suicide rates increase; and depression and substance abuse are common in late life.

How you handle stress will undoubtedly have an effect on how long and how well you live. Seniors who do well late in life usually have a mature outlook that allows them to change what they cannot accept and accept what they cannot change.

A person with a chronic illness such as arthritis can reduce stress by taking an active part in managing her condition - eating a healthy diet, taking medications and participating regularly in activities. A positive attitude also helps.

A certain amount of illness and loss are expected in late life, and those who are realistic about expectations may adjust better when problems occur.

Exercise is more important later in life because it strengthen bones, builds muscles and improves balance. Regular exercise also reduces stress, evens out moods and builds self-esteem.

Whatever the cause, stress cannot be allowed to go unaddressed for long. Persons who learn to manage stress are those most likely to live long and satisfying lives.