Aging Care – Keeping Your Emotions Under Control

Day in and day out we encounter stressors, which may cause us to become anxious or in some cases escalate into a depressed mood or state. Anxiety and depression are two conditions that can cause strain on the body and impact your overall mental health. Anxiety and depression are closely related, but are not the same and these symptoms can be experienced without having a medical diagnosis of either.

Life events or situations that generate emotions such as hopelessness, despair, and anger, can contribute to feeling overwhelmed by day-to-day tasks as well as creating a sense of fatigue or low energy. Experiencing too much stress too frequently can induce fear or panic and can contribute to a sense of anxiety in situations where most people would not feel anxious or threatened. Many life events and daily stresses can cause sadness or anxiety. We’ve all heard the saying, “it’s not what happens or happened, it’s how you handle or cope with it”. It’s important to acknowledge and recognize how we deal with these emotions to ensure that they do not progress to the point where they cause major problems and obstacles in our lives.

There are many ways to reduce feelings of anxiety and depression. By making five simple lifestyle changes you can put yourself in a better position to manage these negative thoughts and emotions:

• Making Sleep a Priority
• Eating Healthy and Smart
• Boosting Self-Efficacy and Loving Yourself
• Learning and Utilizing Relaxation & Meditation Techniques
• Staying Active and Exercising

Stay educated on ways to reduce the impacts of these feelings and make changes to minimize the risk of them becoming true medical problems. If you feel that these emotions are causing you problems, consult your doctor immediately. Staying mentally healthy is essential to your quality of life. Live a life of happiness, love, and joy!