Your senior years often include challenging situations, even if you no longer have the stresses of a job to manage. Older adults frequently face housing changes, smaller incomes and fewer interactions with loved ones, which could increase stress levels. Incorporating intentional moments into your day can help improve your outlook. Here are some stress-reducing practices to consider.

1. Create a Morning Routine

The way you start your day sets the tone for the rest of your activities. Improving your morning wake-up routine starts your day on a positive, stress-free note.

Consistency also allows you to prepare for your morning routine so you aren't rushed. For instance, if you start your day with Bible study, you might have a desk area with your Bible and other items you use. When you wake up, you can go directly to that area and begin your studies.

2. Set Aside Time for Worship

Spending time with God may help ease your concerns and make you feel calmer. To make worship a part of your daily routine, choose a specific time each day. Scheduling this time early in the day helps you focus your day around his word, which may help you navigate challenges more easily.

Reading God's word through Bible study, either on your own or as part of a group, often reveals passages that put your mind at ease about situations you're facing. Spending time in prayer is another way to give your worries to God. Other ways to feel closer to God include listening to worship music, watching recordings of sermons, memorizing scripture and listening to religious podcasts.

3. Get Your Body Moving

When you find a physical activity you enjoy, it makes you happy and gives you a positive break from your routine. Moving your body releases endorphins, which are hormones that improve your mood. At the same time, exercise helps reduce cortisol and other stress hormones. Exercise improves your physical health and often improves the symptoms of chronic conditions you might have. For example, regular exercise might ease pain caused by arthritis.

Exercise can be enjoyable and versatile. It could be as simple as walking and chatting with a friend or playing a regular game of pickleball. The Gardens at ViewPointe offers fitness programs that let you socialize while you exercise. Even when the cold, snowy Colorado Springs weather keeps you inside, you can find ways to increase movement in your apartment.

4. Nourish Your Body With Healthy Foods

Eating consistent, balanced meals helps keep your blood sugar at a healthy level. This helps you avoid the irritation and fatigue that often come with skipping meals, which makes it easier to handle whatever situations you encounter during your day. Residents at The Gardens at ViewPointe enjoy restaurant-style dining, so it's easy to stick to a regular mealtime schedule. It can also help to find healthy alternatives for snacks you can keep on hand throughout the day.

5. Spend Time in Nature

Being surrounded by nature often encourages relaxation. Stepping outside when you feel stressed could ease those feelings. To help control your stress, make it a habit to go outdoors for at least a few minutes every day.

When you live at The Gardens at ViewPointe in Colorado Springs, CO, you don't have to look far to see nature. The grounds are beautifully landscaped to give you a bit of an escape every time you go outdoors. Colorado Springs also offers several nearby nature areas, including Garden of the Gods Park and Cheyenne Mountain State Park, where you can take in the state's breathtaking scenery.

6. Visit With Friends

Connecting with other people can reduce feelings of loneliness and increase feelings of being supported. You have a sense of belonging that often increases your overall happiness and security. When you're facing difficult situations, your friends are there to listen to your concerns and offer a different perspective. They might bring you meals if you're sick or find other ways to support you through your challenges. You can do the same for your friends, which offers a sense of purpose.

7. Engage in a Mindfulness Practice

Mindfulness exercises help you manage stress in a healthy way. Practicing those techniques every day helps you keep your overall stress levels lower. When you encounter a particularly stressful situation, you can use those strategies to work through the event.

One way to engage in mindfulness regularly is to practice yoga. It strengthens your body physically and helps you focus on your breathing. Various forms of meditation may also help you maintain a positive frame of mind. Controlled breathing and visualization also work well for some people.

8. Journal About Your Day

For some people, writing about their experiences helps them process the events. Writing in a journal daily helps you spot patterns and get stressful thoughts out of your head. You might find it easier to make a plan or come up with solutions when you journal. Gratitude journaling is a variation that helps you focus on the positives in your life.