Relaxation activities release stress, tension and improve physical health, mental health and overall quality of life.

Our bodies and minds tense with use and from influences outside ourselves, even in our minds and emotions, to cause us to be stressed and un-relaxed. We couldn’t function if we were always relaxed. It isn’t normal for the body or mind. But relaxation is necessary sometimes and for some people, even seniors in care, it can be difficult to relax.

Some techniques for seniors may be:

• listening to someone read a story
• listening to music
• going for a stroll
• playing a game
• watching a movie
• singing along to songs and music
• being with others
• being alone

Many benefits of these activities are:

• normal heart rate
• erratic thoughts slow down or cease
• normal breathing
• mood changes
• fear alleviated
• stimulates healing

All of these conditions lend themselves to healing of the body and mind.

Stress Relief

Because there are so very many methods for stress relief, we couldn’t cover them all or even know them all. But we do recommend some of the more obvious and preferred methods, like music CD’s and nature sounds CD’s. These can transport a person to the cascading sounds of a waterfall, or the lapping waves on the seashore as a place of serenity and peace.

Chair Tai Chi is not only a fantastic exercise for the elderly because it helps them with balance, circulation and a host of other benefits, but it is also great for relaxation.

White Noise is very helpful for those who have difficulty sleeping or functioning around other annoying and agitating sounds, such as another person’s snoring, clanging pipes, rushing water, or even talking or laughing coming from another room.

Stress relief videos and DVD’s can also help many people by visually drawing their attention to calming pictures and places with the accompaniment of music.

For some seniors such things as prayer, yoga, simple deep breathing, or even playing an instrument can help to slow their bodies and minds.

Group activities can be great tools too. Activities as a group can help to release tension betw  een people or simply get them comfortable enough to begin a new activity together.