Managing your stress is important
to your overall health. If chronic stress is left untreated, it can result in
many serious health conditions, including high blood pressure, insomnia, a
weakened immune system, anxiety and muscle pain.
When stress is at its peak, it's
hard to find the time to take a break, relax and regroup. To reduce stress, try
these simple tips:
Get active: You
don't have to be an athlete. Any kind of physical activity can act as a stress
reliever. Try walking, dancing, swimming. The most important thing is to get
moving.
Connect: When
you are stressed and busy, it is easy to close yourself off and start to feel
disconnected. Reach out to friends and family or join a group exercise class to
keep yourself plugged in.
Laugh:
Maximize your happiness by a good laugh, even if it is forced. Laughter
triggers a relaxing response naturally within your body. At the very least smile. Smiling triggers a similar relaxing response within your body.
Meditate:
Meditation helps you declutter your thoughts and refocus your attention. This
time benefits both your emotional well-being and overall health through
instilling a sense of calmness, peace and balance. Yoga is a great way to learn
to begin to listen to your body and relieve tension. If you have never tried
yoga, this is a perfect time to visit the YMCA. We have classes for every
level. You will be surprised at how good you feel when you are done.
Sleep: You
have too much to do and too much to think about, leading to many restless
nights. Try to stick to a consistent, relaxing bedtime routine. Listen to
soothing music and limit screen time before bed. Invest in a Snore appliance for your bed mate or a Sleep Apnea appliance for yourself if this is disrupting your sleep.
Healthy Living Program Specialist
