Perhaps no medical issue flies under the radar more than stress. A recent survey by the American Psychological Association found that one-third of Americans are living with extreme stress, while close to half of all survey respondents felt their stress levels are on the rise.

While stress is a problem, stress is not solely a byproduct of work, and those without work-related stress can still be overwhelmed by feelings of stress. Simply put, stress can affect everyone, even the nation’s retirees. While retirement is often seen as a chance to relax and enjoy the fruits of a life’s worth of labors, retirement can also be a stressful time for many people.

Getting by on less income can be stressful, as can health issues that might arise with age. In fact, a person’s ability to relax after a stressful event actually becomes more difficult as people age. Such a reality only underlines the importance of stress prevention for retirees, who can decrease their risk of stress or stress-related illness with some common preventive measures.

• Diet and exercise. While seniors might not be able to do all that they used to when it comes to exercise and athletics, daily exercise combined with a healthy diet can go a long way to preventing stress. When exercising, be careful not to over-exert yourself but be sure to include exercise as part of your daily routine. Exercise can include a daily walk out in the fresh air, or a trip to the gym for some light weight lifting and cardiovascular work. Seniors should always consult a physician before beginning an exercise regimen.

With respect to diet, avoid sugar, fried foods and overconsumption of alcohol, as each of things can aggravate an existing condition, increasing the health-related stress many seniors feel as their immune system weakens and they become more susceptible to disease or additional ailments.

• Be sure to socialize. Stress doesn’t just come from work or a physical ailment; it can also be the result of a mental ailment, such as depression resulting from loneliness. Just like everyone else, seniors need to share their problems and concerns as well as their good times with others. Just because you’re retired from work does not mean you’re retired from life. Stay actively involved in your community, and be sure to maintain regular contact with friends and family members. Socialization comes in many different forms, and seniors should take advantage of community-based programs to connect with other seniors or even share their experience with younger generations whenever possible.
• Develop a daily routine. Part of the joy of retirement is having the freedom to do whatever a person wants whenever they want to do it. However, many retirees find that a daily routine helps instill a sense of order in their lives and avoid stress. The daily routine can include a morning round of golf, a weekly lunch or dinner with the kids, or anything else that promotes a sense of purpose.