Tag: regency nursing

What To Do When Social Security Says You’ve Passed On

Posted on by Judah

It’s rare, but it happens to real people. And it happens more often than you might think. Whether it’s due to a clerical error or a misreporting, the Social Security Administration sometimes declares people dead—when they are very much alive.

Every year, the Social Security Administration (SSA) mistakenly declares around 12,000 people dead. Considering about 2.8 million Americans die every year, the error rate is actually quite low.

But if you’re one of those 12,000 people who discovers they’re dead, you probably don’t care about the error rate. Being declared deceased can affect your life in many ways, such as:

  • you no longer receive Social Security benefits
  • your Medicare or other insurance is canceled, making you responsible for all your medical bills
  • your Medicaid benefits are cut off
  • your bank account is locked up

Besides for the many and varied financial ramifications of being officially dead, there will probably also be some emotional fallout. Nobody wants to hear, “Sorry, this person is deceased” when they try to make a doctor’s appointment or fill a prescription.

Fortunately, you can reverse your (erroneous) death, but it can take some time and effort. Dealing with government agencies  can also be an emotionally frustrating experience, so if you’re the senior dealing with this, you might want to enlist the help of a relative or friend. Residents of a long-term care facility like Regency Nursing can also turn to the in-house social worker or administration department for help.

Here’s How to Bring Yourself Back to Life:

The process doesn’t have to be long and drawn out, if you act immediately. Your first clue that something isn’t right may come when a check bounces or your prescription is rejected. Or you might get a notice from Medicare or your insurance company that your health coverage has been canceled.

However you first find out, it’s important to swing into action right away. The sooner you get your life back, the lower the financial impact.

The SSA has a section on their FAQ page telling you what to do if this happens to you.

  1. Go in person to your local Social Security office as soon as possible. Bring at least one original piece of identification, such as a current passport, driver’s license, or insurance card other than Medicare card.
  2. Social Security’s correction will automatically be forwarded to Medicare. They will reinstate your coverage as soon as they receive the notification.
  3. Once your record is corrected, the SSA will give you a letter, called “Erroneous Death Case – Third Party Contact,” to send to your bank, doctors, and other providers.
  4. Confirm with your insurance that any claims denied for no coverage will be reimbursed retroactively. If you had any checks bounce because the bank froze your account, ask the bank to waive those fees. The bank is not required to do so, but many times they will accommodate you.

If you act swiftly, you can reinstate your coverage in a matter of weeks. In my experience—I’ve dealt with four such cases in New Jersey in the last eight years—it can take anywhere from two weeks to two months for Medicare coverage to resume.

July 4th Safety Tips for Seniors

Posted on by Judah

photo of three-generation family having an outdoor picnic on july 4thHappy Independence Day!

Today we celebrate our beautiful country with our family, friends, and loved ones. Maybe you’re going out for a picnic with the family, or an evening barbecue.

If you’re planning to take your elderly parent, grandparent, or other relative out with you, keep these safety tips in mind:

Drink plenty of water

Everyone needs to stay hydrated out in the heat to avoid dehydration. Seniors are especially vulnerable to heat, since their aging bodies can’t regulate body temperature as well. In addition, seniors don’t feel thirst as much, so you may need to remind Mom to drink every so often.

Stay out of the heat during the hottest part of the day

Today’s going to be a scorcher, topping 90 degrees. If you had plans for an outdoor picnic lunch, consider moving it to an indoor venue or rescheduling it for the evening. If that’s not possible, make sure to set up your meal or activity in a shaded area and have lots of cool drinks and ice cubes handy.

Protect your skin

It’s important to wear sunscreen when you’re out in the sun and reapply it every two hours. If you’ll be sweating a lot, or swimming, you should reapply the sunscreen more often. Make sure Grandma lathers up with sunscreen too; aging skin is thinner and more susceptible to sunburn.

Seniors should also wear wide-brimmed hats to shade their faces and necks.

Watch out for signs of heat exhaustion

If you notice mom or dad becoming confused, disoriented, or dizzy, help them drink , and bring them to a cool, indoor area right away. If their condition worsens or doesn’t improve after half an hour, call their doctor right away.

Here are other signs of heat exhaustion:

  • Cool, moist skin with goose bumps
  • Heavy sweating
  • Faintness
  • Weak and/or rapid pulse
  • Low blood pressure
  • Muscle cramps
  • Nausea
  • Headache

Today’s the perfect day to celebrate with relatives of all ages. Be smart about the heat, and you’ll have a wonderful, safe, happy Fourth of July.

 

 

 

 

Terminal Illness: How to Talk About It

Posted on by Judah

He’s the 90-year-old patriarch of a large family spread across the world. He’s sharp and witty, blood-transfusion dependent, and dying.

She’s been battling cancer for 3 years, her loved ones supporting her all the while. Her doctor just told here there’s nothing more he can do.

As a family they never really talked about the important things, and now death is staring them in the eye. What should they do?

It can be scary and sad when your loved one is given a terminal diagnosis. You may be in denial at first, but it’s important to face reality and talk about the diagnosis. In some cases the patient only has weeks to live, and you don’t want to live with regrets that you didn’t make the most of the time left. While it’s not healthy to ignore or push down your emotions, you may need to shelve them for a short time while you deal with the pressing issues. Here are some important things to talk about after the diagnosis:

1. Prognosis

Whether or not the patient is able to communicate, it’s important for everyone involved to understand the diagnosis. If the patient is still cognizant, they should be included in the discussion. Help them understand what is happening with their illness, and what the next few weeks or months will look like. Encourage them—and their involved loved ones—to ask questions and talk about their concerns.

Knowing how much time the patient has left is also helpful for the family. Loved ones who live far away can make travel plans and come to spend time with Dad while he’s still cognizant. The family can get together to make some memories before Grandma passes.

2. Emotions

Having a terminal illness in the family can make you feel powerless, out of control, or angry. Recognize these feelings in yourself and the other family members. Talking about the illness, the patient, and the future can help your family grow closer and overcome this challenge together. You can start the grieving process when you get the diagnosis, and doing it as a family can provide incredible support.

Some families aren’t used to talking about emotions openly. It can be difficult and scary to open up to others, even your loved ones, when you’re used to putting up a strong front. In such cases it’s even more important to talk about your feelings, so you don’t bury them and leave them to fester.

Another important aspect of emotions is unresolved stories. Don’t hesitate to tell your terminally ill loved one that you forgive them, and ask them for forgiveness in return. Tell them you love them, and thank them for the beautiful memories you’ve shared.

3. Finances

If the patient has any assets, such as a home, car, stock portfolio, or bank accounts, he needs to have a will. If he doesn’t have one yet, now is the time to write one. For more information, check out this old, but still relevant, article about estate planning and wills.

Talk to the patient about their will and where it’s

4. The Patient’s Wishes

Ask the patient what he wants from his loved ones. Does he want company or space? Is he strong enough to handle larger groups of visitors? Perhaps he wants to talk about his life story, and have his family record it.

You also need to talk about the patient’s end-of-life wishes. Does she want to pursue all available therapies, or does she want to continue treatment and go on hospice? Does she have an advanced directive for a time when she may no longer be able to communicate? It’s important to have these conversations early on, before the illness progresses past the point of communication.

Confronting terminal illness is one of the hardest things your family will ever face. Talking about your loved one’s death can be a scary process. But the consequence of not having these conversations when you have the opportunity is even worse. After you get the diagnosis, keep these four things in mind as you approach the following days and weeks. And of course, if you need any help, you can reach out to our excellent social workers at Regency Nursing for support and assistance.

Introduction to Wound Care

Posted on by Judah

Nicked your finger on the edge of a paper or got a nasty bruise after bumping into a doorknob? Your body has the incredible ability to heal itself. Clotting cells in your blood, called platelets, mobilize at the scene of an injury, and get to work repairing small wounds in a fascinating natural process.

But what happens when you have a very large wound? Say it’s a bedsore or advanced diabetic wound that just won’t heal on its own. In that case, you need wound care.

What is Wound Care?

Wound care is a set of various treatments for pressure sores, diabetic foot ulcers, burns, and other wounds. Some of the most common wounds that require specialized wound care are pressure sores, or decubitus ulcers. Pressure sores develop in bed-confined individuals when too much weight presses against a pressure point for too long. This is typically on the buttocks, elbows, heels, and ankles. Other common wounds are diabetic ulcers—wounds that develop in patients with diabetic neuropathy. We talked about neuropathy at length in a previous blog, but the gist of it is that some people with diabetes develop a condition where they lose sensation in their extremities. When that happens, they may not notice an injury to their foot until it develops into a serious wound.

Treatment of Pressure-related Ulcers

If the ulcer is pressure-related, the main goal is to reduce or eliminate pressure right away, before the wound deteriorates. This can involve:

  • Turning the bed-confined  patient at regular intervals
  • Introducing a special surface, like an egg-crate or gel mattress, that alternates pressure points and reduces friction
  • The use of specialized beds that relieve pressure by constantly moving air through the cushioning

Treatment of Advanced Wounds

If the wound is not treated, infection and necrosis can set in. Wounds are typically rated in four stages. The lower the stage, the more superficial the wound. Treatment for stage I and II ulcers involves keeping the wound clean and moist, and making sure the surrounding area is clean and dry. Wet skin is more prone to turning into an ulcer. Wound care nurses will use saline washes, povidone iodine, or sodium hypochlorite to keep the wounds clean and sterile.

More serious wounds, in stage III and IV, will benefit from more advanced treatment. This commonly includes:

  • Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: This treatment saturates the body with oxygen. The patient rests in a pressurized chamber of oxygen for up to two hours, absorbing 100% oxygen into their bloodstream. The extra oxygen increases healing capability at the wound site, and clears bacterial infection. This type of treatment is generally available at hospitals, such as Robert Wood Johnson in New Brunswick.
  • Topical or oral antiobiotics: If the wound is already infected or there is concern of infection, the patient’s doctor may recommend antibiotic treatment. This can be administered orally in pill form, or topically, via anti-bacterial lotions.
  • Debridement: This is a surgical procedure that removes dead tissue via scalpel or chemical agents. Removing the dead, or necrotic, tissue allows for the growth of new, healthy tissue. Since debridement involves blood loss, it’s often not an option for anemic patients or patients with other blood conditions.

Regency Nursing’s Excellent Wound Care Programs

While we’ve only touched on the basics of wound care, you can learn more about wound care by talking to our expert staff in any of our Regency facilities. Regency Nursing’s wound care specialists work hand-in-hand with patients and their doctors to maximize wound healing. To learn more, feel free to contact us here.

 

 

Nanotechnology Lotion: The Diagnostic Tool of Tomorrow

Posted on by Judah

Imagine smoothing some gentle lotion onto your arm. The next day, you snap a photo of your arm with your smartphone mounted with external optical filters. The image is immediately transmitted to your doctor, who examines it and gives you a clean bill of health.

Sound like science fiction? This might actually be how doctors diagnose skin diseases in the near future. The fascinating world of nanotechnology brings a completely new dimension to medical care. A topical lotion containing the technology offers promise as a convenient and low cost alternative to biopsies.

What is Nanotechnology?

The prefix nano comes from the ancient Greek word for dwarf. Science has taken it to mean one billionth of something; for example, a nanometer is one billionth of a meter. Put another way, 1/8 of an inch is wider than 3 million nanometer. Medical nanotechnology allows us to manipulate and handle viruses, cell components, and pieces of DNA using an incredible range of tiny tools.

Some controversy surrounds nanotechnology, as its detractors point out that we don’t know whether or not it’s safe. While that is certainly true, it’s also true that natural nanoparticles surround us in our environment. The fact is that we don’t know enough about the effects of man-made nanoparticles on the human body. The other difficulty with nanotechnology is that the field is still in its infancy, and scaling up production at a sustainable cost has so far not been possible.

Both issues are sure to be resolved in the coming years, and in the meantime, researchers keep finding amazing uses for the little particles.

Lotion as a Diagnostic Tool

One such incredible nano-invention is a novel diagnostic technology that uses topical lotion to detect skin tissue biomarkers for diagnosis. Of course it’s not just any lotion; this lotion contains “NanoFlares”—microscopic balls of nucleic acid with gold cores.  Generally, when your doctor observes an abnormal lesion on your skin, he sends you for a biopsy. A biopsy is a surgical procedure in which a piece of your skin is removed to check for disease. They’re usually inconvenient  and may cause pain, scarring, and infection.

The developers of the NanoFlare are hopeful that their NanoFlare lotion may one day replace biopsies in diagnosing skin diseases. When the NanoFlares are applied topically, they can penetrate the skin and interact with skin cells. In the case of abnormal biomarkers, reporter flares separate from the gold core, and become fluorescent. Specialized cameras can detect the florescence that indicates the presence of disease. If there is no disease, the NanoFlares remain inactive, with no emission signals.

The scientists behind the NanoFlare, David C. Yeo and Chenjie Xu of Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, say their new technology has a wealth of applications (no pun intended). A patient could self-apply the lotion in their own home at their own time, making this an extremely convenient mode of diagnosis. They would then either go to their doctor’s office for imaging, or use their own phone fitted with specialized cameras. The lotion could even be used to monitor the progression of the disease in real time, and gauge how successful treatment is.

Like the entire field of nanotechnology, NanoFlare lotion holds endless promise. Time will tell whether it will ever become anything more than interesting reading, but in the meantime, it’s fascinating to ponder the possibilities.

Lower your Blood Pressure with Doable Lifestyle Changes

Posted on by Judah

Many seniors are in  prehypertension, that borderline stage where your blood pressure is at the highest end of normal. If your blood pressure is consistently 120/80 or higher, it’s a warning sign that you may develop full-blown hypertension. Chronic high blood pressure drastically increases your risk of heart attack, stroke, heart disease, heart failure, and kidney failure. People with high blood pressure can make some changes in their lifestyle today to avoid developing hypertension.

Exercise in intervals throughout the day

If you’re not used to exercising, it can be hard to start doing an hour-long workout every day. Instead, exercise in short bursts several times each day. Take a short break to run on the treadmill for five minutes, or sprint around the block. Aim to get 30 minutes of exercise in total. That’s just three 10-minute breaks a day.

Reduce your stress

Anxiety and stress have been proven to temporarily raise your blood pressure. It’s unclear if the behaviors associated with stress—drinking alcohol, overeating, or sleeping poorly—cause hypertension, or whether the constant blood pressure spikes are the culprit. Either way, long-term stress is linked to hypertension. For tips on reducing stress and anxiety, read our previous blog post, Take a Break From Stress.

Take a nap

If your schedule allows it, take a one-hour nap every day. It’s been proven to lower blood pressure and may help you avoid blood pressure medication. Just make sure napping doesn’t make it hard to fall asleep at night. Poor sleeping habits are a risk factor for hypertension, so it’s important to get a good night’s sleep.

Don’t drink as much

While you don’t have to give up drinking completely—red wine is actually linked to heart health—reduce your intake if you’re in prehypertension. Drinking too much alcohol can cause high blood pressure, but studies show heavy drinkers can improve their average blood pressure by cutting back to one drink a day. For reference, a drink of alcohol means 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or a shot and a half of whiskey or vodka.

Watch your caffeine

Drinking coffee may contribute to higher blood pressure in some people. One theory is that caffeine blocks a hormone that helps keep the arteries widened. Caffeine doesn’t seem to cause high blood pressure in everyone, but if you’re in prehypertension, ask your doctor if limiting caffeine could help improve your numbers.

 

Celebrate Life’s Stories

Posted on by Judah

In two weeks, Regency Nursing will celebrate National Skilled Nursing Care Week. Beginning on Mother’s Day, May 13, Skilled Nursing Week will honor the unique stories of our residents, families, and staff.

You can take the opportunity to finally capture your parent or loved one’s life story. As an adult, you might think you know everything about your parents and their stories. Even if you do, it’s still a good idea to record their stories for their descendants. And if your loved one witnessed historical events, other people may also be interested in their account.

Here are some tips to record your elderly loved one’s life story for posterity:

Set the scene to encourage sharing.

Man holding a photoChoose a time when your subject is relaxed and comfortable. Settle them in a quiet location—their room, our beautiful gardens, or a calm corner of the lounge. Consider bringing old family photos or newspaper clippings to stimulate memories.

Another good way to set the mood is to find out what they enjoyed listening to when they were young, and find it online. One resource for old music is freemusicarchive.org. Play the music to get your loved one in a nostalgic mood, perfect for story sharing.

Make sure you have a good recorder, either on your phone or on a separate device. If they agree, try videotaping the session. Having video of your mom or dad will hold incomparable value after they’re gone.

Ask questions to start the flow.

Prepare a list of starter questions to get your parent talking. But don’t stick too closely to your questions. The answers you get might take you to topics you didn’t originally think of, and you’ll discover things you never knew about your parents’ lives. At all times, follow your parent’s cues. If a particular memory seems painful, gently change the subject.

Check out storycorps.org for some question ideas, such as “what is your earliest memory”; “what are you proudest of”; and “is there anything you’ve never told me, but want to tell me now.”

Another way to help your loved one open up is to ask them about historical events that happened when they were younger. Ask them about World War II, Korea, or Vietnam. They may want to share their memories of the Kennedy assassination or the moon landing. These memories also have the advantage of being educational, and you may want to share them with your local library or historical society.

Be a good listener.

Your senior lady smiling and conversingjob is to listen to your loved one’s stories, with some redirecting if necessary. You may hear a story you’ve heard before, but don’t cut them off when they start repeating an old story. First of all, this time you’re getting it on tape. Secondly, they might add new details or share a different perspective this time.

You may hear unpleasant memories, or opinions you don’t agree with. Don’t judge your loved one for her memories; it’s not about you. Keep in mind that the story you’re hearing may not be completely accurate. After many years, certain events get exaggerated and details forgotten. If the story sounds fantastical, it may not have happened that way… or maybe it did! Life can definitely be strange sometimes.

A word of caution.

Unfortunately, some seniors have had dysfunctional, abusive, or otherwise awful childhoods. Similarly, many war veterans still carry the trauma of war, and may not want to talk about it. If you know your loved one has many bad memories in their past, you may want to skip this particular activity. If you feel it’s important to record their story, proceed with caution and sensitivity. Consider consulting with the resident’s doctor or social worker on whether it’s a good idea to bring up these sad or hurtful memories.

 

 

Proton Therapy Gains Popularity in NJ

Posted on by Judah

Doctors first used proton therapy to treat cancer in the 1950s, but it only started gaining popularity in the 1990s, when the first hospital-based proton therapy center opened.  What is this revolutionary cancer treatment, how is it different from traditional radiation, and is it appropriate for your loved one suffering from cancer?

How Radiation Therapy Works

According to cancer.org, the website of the American Cancer Society, radiation treatment “uses high-energy particles or waves to destroy or damage cancer cells.” It works by breaking the DNA in cells, which makes it harder for them to multiply. Rapidly dividing cancer cells are particularly susceptible to this kind of damage, so tumors often shrink or disappear.

Radiation therapy is a localized treatment, unlike chemotherapy, which affects the whole body. The therapy aims radioactive waves at the specific area where the cancer is located. The goal is to limit the damage to the healthy cells in the body, but with traditional radiation therapy, the entire target area is at risk.

How Proton Therapy is Superior

The difference between traditional radiation and proton therapy is in how the radiation is delivered. Traditional therapy sends a  dose of radiation that affects all the tissue in the wave’s path. Proton therapy uses beams of protons—charged subatomic particles that can be controlled with magnets. It uses a small amount of radiation, and most of it goes directly into the tumor. None of it passes through the other side.

An example of how this works is that proton radiation aimed at a spinal tumor wouldn’t reach the heart or lungs, as it would with traditional radiation. Or if the tumor is one part of the brain, the other half would remain unaffected from the treatment.

In addition, because the radiation is more focused, and more of it reaches the tumor, you can use a smaller overall dose. This further limits the radiation damage to healthy cells. Another benefit of proton therapy is that patients must hold still for only seconds at a time, compared with minutes for traditional radiation. An entire treatment takes just a couple of minutes. As with other types of radiation, patients go for treatment once a day, five days a week, for five to eight weeks.

Who Benefits from Proton Therapy

Children with cancer benefit most from proton therapy. This is because more of their normal cells are developing rapidly, making them more prone to damage that could stunt the growth of healthy organs. People with tumors in the head, neck, and spine, and those who have cancers near other very sensitive organs, also benefit greatly. The precision of proton therapy protects their organs from radiation damage caused by traditional radiation.

On the other hand, people with certain cancers will not be candidates for proton therapy. Lymphoma, for example, often requires treatment in a wider area around the lymph nodes because of the way the cancer grows and spreads.  Many common cancers fall into a gray area. Patients and their doctors need to weigh the risks, costs and benefits of different types of treatments.

Because of the lack of extensive research, as well as the price, proton therapy is still considered an uncommon treatment for most cancers. There are only 28 therapy centers in operation in the entire country. However, patients who decide, with their doctor’s guidance, to embark on proton therapy are fortunate to have choices right here in New Jersey. Robert Wood Johnson Medical Center provides proton therapy at the Laurie Proton Therapy Center in their New Brunswick campus. In addition, ProCure Proton Therapy Center, located right near Regency Jewish Heritage in Somerset, opened in 2012 as an affiliate of the CentraState Healthcare System.

If you think you or your loved one can benefit from proton therapy, speak with your doctor today. The cure for your cancer could be just around the corner.

 

Aging Eyes: Protect Your Vision

Posted on by Judah

Our eyes, along with the rest of our bodies, deteriorate as we age. Failing vision can cause depression and anxiety, loss of mobility, and increased falls. Some medical conditions—chiefly diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease—increase the risk of eye diseases.

There are multiple factors that go into protecting your eyesight. We’ve rounded up the best tips for senior eye health.

The best way to protect your eyesight is pretty simple.

Regular eye exams are the best and easiest way to prevent vision loss. With frequent screenings, your eye doctor can diagnose any disease or condition as soon as it develops. Early detection offers the best outcome when it comes to eyesight, so make sure to visit your eye doctor at least annually for a checkup.

Know your risk factors.

Certain health problems can affect your eyes. If you have high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart disease, it’s essential to have regular eye exams. Keep your eye doctor informed of your medical history, and make sure to update him about any new medications.

Women are more likely to have glaucoma, diseased or damaged optic nerves. They’re also more likely to lose all or part of their vision due to glaucoma. Cataract is also slightly more common among women. Aging women should make sure to have an eye exam annually after age 65.

Eat your way to good vision.

Surprisingly, good nutrition is a key component to eye health. In recent years we’ve discovered that what we eat affects everything in our bodies, and our eyes are no exception. A diet good for our eyes includes foods rich in vitamins A and C, and omega-3 fatty acids. Green leafy vegetables, salmon, and dairy products are all good options to load up on these essential antioxidants.

Avoid saturated fats and excessive alcohol, which are both detrimental to eye health.

Lifestyle plays a part as well.

Make healthy lifestyle choices to protect your eyesight. Don’t smoke, since smoking puts you at risk for medical conditions that cause eye diseases. Exercise regularly—exercise improves your blood circulation, which improves oxygen levels in your eyes. When you go out in the sun, wear sunglasses with 100% UV protection. You should also wear a hat with a brim as an extra level of protection.

Address eye injuries promptly.

If you sustain an injury to your eye, get immediate medical attention. Your eyes are valuable and you only have two of them, so you don’t want to delay treatment.

Take a Break From Stress

Posted on by Judah

Modern life is stressful. We face a barrage of constant stimulation and not enough quiet time. Whether you’re a senior living at home, a resident in a care facility, or a caregiver to a chronically ill person, you probably experience stress on a daily basis.

I don’t have to tell you how harmful stress is to your health. You probably know that unrelieved stress can cause headaches, insomnia, chest pain, and fatigue. You definitely feel the increased anxiety, restlessness, or irritability that results from feeling stressed. And you may even be aware that too much stress for too long can contribute to high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes.

Relieving your stress will help you feel better today, and the health benefits will endure forever. Here are some tips for relaxation you can use on your lunch break:

Meditate

Meditating for just a few minutes a day can help ease stress, anxiety, and depression. Meditating is natural and easy: sit up straight and place both feet on the floor. Close your eyes and recite a positive mantra, either silently or out loud. Examples of positive statements are “It’s a wonderful day,” or “I feel so at peace.” You can rest a hand on your abdomen to sync your mantra with your breathing. If any thoughts come into your mind, let them pass without distracting you.

Deep Breathing

Similar to meditation, deep breathing is another great way to reduce stress. Get into a comfortable position, close your eyes, and slowly inhale through your nose. Place a hand on your abdomen and really feel your breath as it begins deep in your belly and builds up to your head. Then slowly exhale through your mouth, feeling the breath leaving your body. Your exhale should be at least as long as your inhale.

Deep breathing can also help when you’re in the thick of a stressful situation. When your heartbeat speeds up and you start feeling panicky, close your eyes and practice slow, mindful breathing. Just a few deep breaths will steady your heartbeat and open up your brain to better problem solving.

Connect with Others

Talking to others—preferably face-to-face—is one of the best ways to manage stress. By reaching out to your friends and loved ones, you can share what you’re going through and gain valuable new perspectives. Many caregivers find comfort in support groups, where members can understand and empathize with each other.

Laugh

As we outlined in a previous post, laughter really is the best medicine. A good belly laugh lowers the body’s stress hormone cortisol, and boosts the brain-stimulating chemical endorphin. Take some time to laugh every day.

Listen to music

Playing music can lower your blood pressure and heart rate. Create a playlist of your favorite music to listen to when you feel stressed. Some people prefer listening to classical music or other soothing genres, while others choose to blast their upbeat music and sing their hearts out. You can also listen to nature sounds—soft rain, ocean waves, birds chirping, etc.—to allow your mind to relax.

Exercise

Besides all the other health benefits of exercise, it’s a great stress-reducer. “Runner’s high” is a real thing, and it doesn’t just come from running. All forms of exercise release those feel-good endorphins and leaves you feeling better. A quick walk around the block, or even some stretching exercises like head rolls, can alleviate some of your stress.