Time to Take Care During Stress Awareness Month
If you’re like most people, you deal with your fair share of stress most days. And that can take a toll. Especially when you consider that chronic stress can negatively impact our health, sending blood pressure soaring and causing our hearts to work harder.
Stress is a part of life, whether it’s a bully for a boss, a horrific commute, mounting bills, or problems in your marriage. But there are things we can do to lessen the effects of stress on our minds and body:
Let Go
Sometimes stress comes from wanting to control everyone and every event in our lives. But, of course, this isn’t possible. Recognizing you don’t have control over everything and just letting go can often bring profound relief.
Breathe Deeply
By taking slow, deep breaths, you can move out of fight or flight mode and into rest and digest mode. Our bodies cannot heal and repair when we are in constant states of fight or flight, only when we are in rest and relax mode. Whenever you feel stressed, take three deep, slow breaths in — hold it for a count of three – 1,2, 3 and exhale for three – 1, 2, 3. Guaranteed you feel calmer and more relaxed, and you will help your body heal itself. For more breathing exercises, check out: https://www.healthline.com/health/breathing-exercises-for-anxiety#long-exhale
Make Self-Care a Priority
When we’re stressed, it’s easy to make poor lifestyle choices that only lead to poor health outcomes. So be sure to prioritize self-care by eating right, drinking plenty of pure water, and getting enough sleep and exercise each day.
Practice Meditation
Mindfulness meditation is one of the best ways to calm your mind and keep it peaceful throughout the day. There are plenty of Youtube videos that will help you begin your practice.
Stress Awareness month is in April, and there is no better way to celebrate it than to take care of yourself!
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