Unhealthy Ways to Cope With Stress in Older Adults

The American Institute of Stress, citing a 2021 Statista study, reports that 44% of seniors aged 50 to 80 experience stress that lasts for several days.

As you age, health concerns, loss of independence, or social isolation can trigger emotional strain. You might adopt unhealthy ways to cope with stress. These habits may offer short-term relief but often lead to more harm in the long run.

Recognizing these issues early helps you take the right steps toward healing. To make daily living easier, consider joining Glassford Place in Prescott Valley, AZ.

We offer personalized support with daily tasks in a warm, welcoming setting that encourages independence. Learn about various unhealthy coping habits you need to know as a senior.

Avoiding Social Interaction

Withdrawing from people is a common reaction when you are under stress. You may feel too exhausted to maintain conversations or conceal your feelings. However, isolation slowly erodes your sense of connection and joy.

Living alone at home makes it even harder to stay social, especially when:

• You're retired
• You don't have friends or relatives nearby
• You can no longer drive
• Your health makes it hard to leave the house
• You feel anxious or afraid to reach out
• You have lost a spouse or close companion

These challenges make it tough to connect with others and find emotional support. Moving to an assisted living community like Glassford Place can help.

You will join a warm, caring environment filled with other seniors who understand what you are going through. Sharing life with them can lift your spirits and ease daily stress.

Excessive Screen Time

Watching television or scrolling through your phone might help you escape worries, but too much screen time often leads to mental fog. It leads to a passive state and can enhance feelings of sadness, particularly when consuming negative content. You also miss the chance to reflect or engage with your surroundings.

Relying on screens to tune out stress takes time away from habits that support aging wellness. Try setting limits on screen use. Replace some of those hours with journaling, light walking, or listening to music that lifts your mood and helps you feel more present.

Overeating or Skipping Meals

Emotional eating is most seniors' go-to solution for dealing with:

• Loneliness
• Boredom
• Sadness
• Grief after losing a spouse
• Anxiety from health issues
• Frustration with daily limitations

While it may bring short-term comfort, emotional eating can lead to weight gain, low energy, and digestive problems.

Some seniors also lose interest in food when facing high levels of senior stress, which leads to skipped meals and poor nutrition. Eating irregularly affects mood, blood sugar, and focus.

Try keeping a simple meal schedule with healthy snacks. Treat meals as part of your care routine, just like bathing or taking medicine.

Refusing to Talk About It

Some older adults were raised to stay quiet about personal struggles, thinking that silence shows strength. But bottling up feelings can raise your stress levels and lead to long-term harm. You may think, 'I don't want to burden anyone,' but carrying emotional weight alone makes it feel heavier.

Even if you are not ready for therapy, talking to a friend, pastor, or family member can offer release. Naming your emotions out loud is an act of coping awareness. It shows strength, not weakness, and helps you feel less alone in your challenges.

Overspending to Distract Yourself

Shopping can offer a quick high. Whether online or in stores, buying things you don't need may distract you from inner pain. But when it becomes a pattern, it leads to financial strain and regret.

Overspending doesn't heal what's hurting. It simply covers the stress for a moment before it returns stronger. If you've noticed yourself using shopping as a way to cope, pause and check your feelings.

Consider healthier alternatives for relaxation, such as walking in nature, stretching, or engaging in stimulating puzzles. Keeping spending in check is part of emotional support, too.

Ignoring Physical Activity

When stress hits, it's tempting to stay on the couch or in bed. You might feel too tired or unmotivated. But avoiding movement drains your energy even more.

Your body holds tension, and light physical activity helps release it. Skipping walks or stretching adds to:

• Stiffness
• Low energy
• Poor sleep
• Mood swings
• Slower circulation
• Joint pain

Even just ten minutes of movement can lift your mood and improve how your body feels. If exercise seems overwhelming, start with small steps. Try a short stroll, chair exercises, or dancing to music you enjoy.

At Glassford Place, part of our amenities includes exercise, wellness, and fitness programs. These activities help manage senior stress while supporting mobility, sleep, and emotional balance.

Keeping a Negative Inner Dialogue

You may catch yourself thinking:

• I'm too old to change
• Nothing ever goes right for me
• I always mess things up
• It's too late to start over
• No one really cares about me

These thoughts may seem harmless, but repeating them turns them into beliefs that shape how you see yourself. Negative self-talk feeds stress and pushes away the hope you need to grow and heal. Over time, these patterns form unhealthy mental habits that keep you stuck.

Try shifting your inner voice. Replace harsh thoughts with kind truths like, 'I'm doing my best today, or It's okay to ask for help'. Speaking to yourself with compassion can open the door to peace, joy, and lasting emotional strength.

Unhealthy Ways to Cope With Stress: What Seniors Should Know

Unhealthy ways to cope with stress, like isolation or emotional eating, may bring short-term relief. However, they often make things worse over time. Spotting these habits early can help you take better care of yourself.

Glassford Place, located at 7509 E. Long Look Drive, Prescott Valley, AZ 86314, offers care that fits your needs. Our team helps with daily tasks and creates a safe and friendly space. We are a licensed community with registration number AL9067C.

Join Digital Brain Games, One Step at a Time Walking Club, or Worship Music with Pastor Chad. These activities reduce stress and help you feel more connected, active, and supported every day. Contact us to learn more or schedule a visit today.