Better Health By Reducing Stress

Slowing down heart rate, lowering blood pressure, reducing chronic pain, and increasing blood flow to major muscles all sounds like healthy goals for many older adults.  If I told you there is a way to achieve these simply by reducing stress levels, would you believe it? Studies have found that reducing stress has many great health benefits on us, and simply by relaxing, you can also enjoy these benefits!

Using different relaxation techniques, anyone have the abilities to get through any level of stress. According to WebMD, there are three main types of relaxation techniques – autogenic relaxation, progressive muscle relaxation, and visualization.

First, autogenic means it is from within the person by using both”visual imagery and body awareness” to lower stress.  By repeating words in your mind, the individual is able to release tension.

Progressive muscle relaxation is a bit different than autogenic techniques.  An individual would slowly tense a muscle group, then relax it.  As a result, the body can notice the different between tension and relaxation.  Usually, muscles are kept tense for 5 seconds, then half a minute of relaxation.  Surely, this needs a little bit of practicing, but once learned, it can do wonders for your stress levels.

Lastly, there is visualization. Although the name of the technique suggests that it is visual, but it also tries to focus on as many of the senses as possible.  The goal is to create an mental image that one can visualize a journey thorough a peaceful environment.  Imagining the sounds, the smells, the sight, and the touch.  The nature always tend to have a calming effect on people, and visualization can take you there with the power of your mind.

Give these relaxation techniques a try, you or your loved ones might just find a way to reel in the health benefits of a relaxed mind!

To further reduce stress around the home, having excellent support from a caregiver can greatly reduce the stress and worries around your household.  Caregivers from A-1 Home Care in La Canada are carefully selected and interviewed to make sure seniors well accommodated for.  From meal preparation to laundry to housecleaning, we can create a stress free environment for them to relax in no matter their health conditions.  We specialize in the areas of Brain Injury Care, Parkinson Care, Arthritis Care, Kidney Disease Care, Special Needs Care, Post Surgery Care, Multiple Sclerosis Care, Bipolar Care, Incontinence Care, and other elderly care services.  In addition, we licensed, bonded, and insured to cover the cities of  La Canada, Altadena, Sierra Madre,Pasadena, Rosemead, Arcadia, San Marino, Burbank, Glendale, Sherman Oaks, and many other cities in Los Angeles and Orange County.

Our phone number is 818-980-0094 and 562 929 8400 for any questions or concerns. Please visitwww.lacanadainhomecare.com for more information and follow us on our Facebook page!

Aging and Driving

As we embrace new physical changes with age, we must remember our driving skills can be compromised. It is important to take in account these physical alterations and learn to adapt when on the road. Regular check-ups are key. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, persons over the age of 65 should have a routine check-up every 2 years while the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association states that hearing check-ups should be every 3 years for those over the age of 50. Other ways to avoid a collision is checking your medication for any side effects or limiting yourself in driving during nighttime or bad weather.

Being active is another way to condition yourself for driving. By exercising,  strength, flexibility, and coordination can be ameliorated. Due to slower reactions and stiffer muscles, braking ahead of times or allowing more space between you and another car can prevent any future accidents. However, it is important to understand your physical condition and whether you should continue driving. Those suffering from alzheimer’s have a tendency to forget how to drive or sense of direction. Sufferers of stroke, Parkinson’s, or Arthitis may also face difficulty in driving.

For those in need of driving service or to keep up with daily routines, A-1 Home Care in La Canada can help. Since 1991, we have provided compassionate and qualified caregivers like Tina G. and Roehl E. We offer a variety of special needs services that include, but is not limited to Parkinson Care, After-Surgery Care, and Dementia Care. Our company is open 24/7 and dedicated to guaranteeing a caregiver-customer compatibility.

For a free in-home assessment or more information, please call 818-890-0094 or visit lacanadainhomecare.com. Also, don’t forget to like us on Facebook!