Keys to managing stress at different ages
Stress is a universal feeling experienced by people of all generations, but it does not necessarily manifest itself in the same way for everyone. How does its perception evolve over the years, and what stress management techniques should be adopted according to age? Thanks to these few tips, I can take care of myself and my loved ones and adopt good habits from now on!
How does the perception of stress change over time?
Each of us has our own level of sensitivity and way of reacting to stress. However, by examining this feeling across different stages of life, certain parameters can help to make better decisions. What worked to soothe me as a child probably no longer gives me the same comfort now because I see the world differently.
Stress levels are partly related to body chemistry. Hormones, in particular, have a huge impact on how we feel emotionally. It is, therefore, not surprising that some of life’s passages are crucial in this respect: puberty, pregnancy, perimenopause, menopause, and andropause are, for example, key periods for many of us.
The good news, according to scientific studies, is that overall, with age, adults report a greater sense of serenity!
To create my own arsenal to fight stress and accompany my loved ones of all ages in this process, a few guidelines have been identified according to the different stages of life.
Childhood: Learning key habits to deal with stress
The earlier you learn to recognise when you are stressed and how to calm down, the better equipped you are to deal with difficult situations. Teaching children some anti-stress techniques from an early age will help them throughout their lives:
- Mindfulness is an ideal tool for regaining calm and is beneficial for sleep, according to a study conducted on children aged 8 to 11 over a period of two years.
- Positive affirmations can also be learned as soon as children start to speak. Spotting every negative thought and turning it into a positive one can be made into a game.
- Simple breathing techniques, such as square breathing are easy to teach children: 1 inhale, 2 block, 3 blow out, 4 block.
Adolescence and early adulthood: Letting off steam and finding support
Puberty, followed by school and the beginning of independent living, are stressful times. We move from the unconscious fears of children to issues of anxiety that are better understood and more easily analysed. However, in the midst of discovering adult life, we do not necessarily have the resources needed to manage stress on a daily basis. During this period, these 3 approaches can help:
- Take advantage of the benefits of exercise to channel your energy, feel a sense of well-being and let off steam.
- Take up guided meditation to gradually learn different ways to find serenity on your own.
- Talk to your loved ones and trusted adults who have also been through these times to learn from their experiences.
Working life: Making time for yourself
Later on, with work and family life, the main issue is to make time for oneself. Hobbies and time for yourself are a real breath of fresh air. To keep stress at bay, I can:
- Set aside time in my schedule to take care of myself.
- Learn to determine my priorities to manage my time better and put what is important first.
- Remember myself in the decisions I make.
- Do not hesitate to ask for help when I feel stressed: nobody expects me to be Super(wo)man, and we are all in the same situation.
Seniors: Staying active and maintaining your social life
As the years go by, all this restlessness calms down: with retirement, my children are grown up, and my life assumes a different rhythm, ideally my own! My worries turn to health: I want to stay mobile and fit for as long as possible. I also reinvent myself: without my children and colleagues, my social life is my second main concern.
With experience, I am more Zen and philosophical. I know what I want and what works for me. To continue to develop myself with confidence, I can:
- Do activities that I enjoy and that help me to maintain a solid and comforting social circle: this can be a hobby, fulfilling a dream I had when I was younger, getting involved in a club and so on.
- Keep fit by doing light exercise: Pilates, yoga, stretching, qigong, etc.
- Maintain my intellectual alertness by reading, playing and remaining curious.
There is no one-size-fits-all method to combat anxiety, but stress management is refined throughout life. At any age, I can learn what is good for me to adapt more easily to the ups and downs I will encounter in my life
For more tips and information around reducing your stress visit our other articles
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