Senior to Senior: Anxiety

You are probably thinking, what do old people have to be anxious about? Life is good. You can do and go wherever you want. It’s a piece of cake. Of course it doesn’t work that way; life has been a struggle all along. What if your spouse had a fall and sprained both ankles? What if your nearest and dearest had a stroke? What if you have a destination vacation coming up and you wonder if it is going to happen? What if your blood pressure has taken it upon itself to spike out of control? Suddenly, you find yourself vulnerable and afraid (anxious). That’s just a starter. The possibility of dependence on others, of having mobility and cognitive problems, of being alone and facing financial instability, looms large. Contrary to popular opinion, anxiety is alive and well. There are so many things to worry about that it’s a wonder any of us have retained our sanity. Every day you find new things to worry about. Of course, intellectually you understand that anxiety affects you mentally, emotionally and physically, but that doesn’t make it any easier. In simple terms, anxiety is fear of the unknown. Symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, trembling, gastrointestinal issues, headaches and loss of control take their toll. What can you do? Take a step back and try to calm your nerves. Talk to a friend, a therapist, and your physician. Make sure you are physically okay. They will all tell you to exercise more, meditate, deep breathe, study yoga and chill. The key, they say, is releasing endorphins, which really are a thing, and allowing nature to take its course. Make age count for you. You can handle these stressors the same way that you always have. Reevaluate what matters to you. Tackle your worries one at a time and don’t forget to breathe. Be grateful for each day. Not everyone has had the opportunity to grow old, but you are still here. Take that deep breath and come up with a plan. Tackle the issues that are bothering you and put them to rest. You can do this!