Most of us have difficulty in relaxing sometimes.  Even seniors, with more leisure time than perhaps they are used to, can get stressed.  Small things can assume a disproportionate importance.  Stress can be a killer at any age, but for the elderly it presents a special threat.This is why it is important for this age group to be able to relax properly..

Many seniors are able to relax through prayer, meditation, or simply watching their grandchildren at play.  Others are fortunate enough to be able to visit day spas.  Social activity is important, and many towns these days offer facilities for the elderly, such as day centres, Derby and Joan clubs, ex-servicemen’s clubs, bowls clubs, and so on, but not everyone is socially inclined.  Indeed, many senior folk grow introverted and reclusive.

Creativity should be encouraged (see here), and again there are many adult education centres and similar programmes available which people should be encouraged to join.The highly stressed lifestyle many of us adopt merely leads to a short and unhappy existence..

Progressive muscle relaxation is one technique that aids in coping with stress, reducing anxiety, and improving general wellness.  Practising this technique regularly can lower blood pressure, increase blood flow to major muscles, reduce tension, improve concentration and boost confidence.  Consideration should be given to an appropriate strategy for using this method.  People with busy schedules should adopt a series of short (less than ten minutes) sessions per day.Concentrate on the four major muscle areas : limbs, upper and lower, abdomen, and the face/neck region..  The tensing of muscles is held for a period of eight to ten seconds, then released for ten to fifteen seconds before the next interval.  Inhale during tensing and slowly exhale during release.This will ensure the body is energised to the greatest possible extent..

For those with time available, these sessions can be extended to twenty to forty-five minutes long with exercises similar to the above.

Another technique is to simply sit on a cushion with your legs crossed, close your eyes, and focus on a soothing, calming thought such as a spring walk along a beach, feel the sand between your toes, the sound of the waves against the shore, the sea gulls, the smell of the sea.  Try to involve as many senses as you can.  Five minutes of walking like this will surely ease and calm your mind.

Finally, the beneficial effects of meditation should not be overlooked.  Transcendental Meditation was first introduced to the western world  in the 1960s by Maharishi Mahesh.TM is well accepted today with over four million followers..  In recent studies, tm has proven to be about twice as effective as progressive relaxation.

Finally, proper relaxation is probably the finest gift a senior citizen can give to himself or herself.