Relaxation techniques can reduce anyone’s stress level, including seniors.  Here are some good exercises for your elderly loved ones to consider:

Tense the muscles in the body, one by one, then relax them, one by one.

This technique takes the mind off of anxiety-provoking thoughts and images and enables one to feel somewhat in control of his or her body.

Slow, rhythmic breathing combined with images of beautiful, peaceful places

This refocusing onto positive and peaceful images,  helps diminish any pain and reduces anxiety.

Meditation, focusing on a word, image or concept

This technique takes the mind off of pain or anxiety and focuses on something calming, such as ocean sounds, the thought that “I will get better,” or an image of a child smiling.

Prayer

This appeal to a higher power relaxes and calms some people.

Biofeedback plus relaxation

Biofeedback uses electrical equipment to help one learn how to control the body’s heart rate, blood pressure and muscle tension. It is normally used in conjunction with other relaxation techniques and helps reduce pain and anxiety.

Hypnosis

In hypnosis, the goal is to achieve a state of relaxed concentration, during which the mind is more receptive to suggestions that block the awareness of pain, or to change the sensation of pain to something that is positive. The hypnotist should be a trained psychologist or psychiatrist.

Massage

A massage therapist kneads the body into a state of relaxation, which can reduce pain and anxiety, stress and exhaustion. Different people find various massage techniques helpful. Try different techniques to see which works most effectively.

Posted by: Frank Esposito, Vice President of Expert Home Care.  New Jersey’s Expert Home Care provides professional and reliable home health care and companion care for NJ elderly, helping them with their daily living activities since 1984. Please call us toll free at 800-848-2336 when you have home care related questions or need assistance for a loved one. Get a Free Home Care Assessment (a $375 value!) when you mention this post.