Strategies for Stress
The topic of this session is all about the management of stress. We’ll start with an examination of stress and how each person has a unique pattern of stress response. Then we’ll discuss the physical and mental consequences of chronic stress. You’ll learn two valuable yet simple stress management tools you can use at any time. At the end of this session you’ll create an action plan that will help you to plan for how to use these tools in your day to day life.
Resources
These links are being provided for informational purposes only. The websites are maintained by their respective owners, and the Optimal Aging Center bears no responsibility for the accuracy, legality, or content of these external sites. Contact the external sites for answers to questions regarding their content.
Stress and Caregiving
A website with a comprehensive coverage of caregiver specific stress. While not limited to caregivers for persons with Memory Loss it contains valuable information.
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Caregiver Stress: Tips for taking care of yourself
A Mayo Clinic Healthy Lifestyle – Stress Management article for caregivers of older adults covering risk factors, recognition, and strategies.
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Caregiver Stress
Alzheimer’s Association’s article specific to dementia caregivers on recognizing and managing stress
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Chronic Stress
The beginnings of a series of articles from the Healthline website on chronic stress, this is a review of the effects of stress on each part of the body.
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Peer Reviewed Article: The effects of chronic stress on health: New insights into the molecular mechanisms of brain–body communication
This is an open access in-depth discussion of the effects of chronic stress on health.
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Website: The American Institute of Stress
The American Institute of Stress is a non-profit organization established in 1978 to serve as a clearinghouse for information on all stress related subjects.
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Relaxation Exercises
Created by FamilyGuiding1. This video walks you through a guided imagery exercise.
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Website: Relaxation exercises, Techniques, Music, and Meditations
Interesting website with a few different techniques. Jump to Breathing Techniques & Other Relaxation Exercises to find alternatives to mindful breathing.
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Article: Multiple Sclerosis Trust – Relaxation
Although written for those struggling with MS they clearly explain different exercises.
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Commercial Site (Relax the Back): Relaxation Techniques You Can Practice Anywhere
Reviews 5 relaxation techniques with brief instructions. Suitable for an initial review to see if any of these might fit your life.
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Article: Six relaxation techniques to reduce stress
An introduction to 6 techniques offered by Harvard Health Publishing, no practice instructions included.
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Article: Stress Management: Breathing Exercises for Relaxation
University of Michigan-Michigan Medicine’s article on different breathing techniques.
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Video: Calm
YouTube channel for the Calm app, which hosts a series of different guided breathing mediations.
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Video: 10 Percent Happier
YouTube channel for the 10 percent Happier app, they offer a series of guided meditations.
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Book: How I Tamed the Voice in My Head, Reduced Stress Without Losing My Edge, and Found Self-Help That Actually Works–A True Story
The story behind the 10% Happier, Dan Harris talks about his path as a skeptic and what he gains from meditation.
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