April is National Stress Awareness month, but it’s not enough to be aware of stress. We need to find ways of coping with our stress and reducing it whenever possible. Stress has a huge impact on our health, so managing our stress is important to your health and longevity. Try these quick easy ways to calm down when you feel stressed:
- Deep breathing: Try inhaling for 4 seconds, holding for 4, exhaling for 6. This signals your body to calm down.
- Step outside: Fresh air and natural light can quickly reset your mood.
- Unplug briefly: Even a short break from screens can reduce mental overload.
We can also add these routine habits into our day to help us manage stress. Pick just one option to include in your routine.
- Exercise: You don’t have to exercise vigorously to benefit. Try walking and stretching to release built up tension.
- Sleep: Getting enough good quality sleep can make managing stress much easier.
- Hydrate: Make sure to keep your body well hydrated so it functions at a high level.
- Healthy Eating: Eating balanced meals with whole ingredients help you avoid blood sugar mood swings.
Journaling, laughing with a friend, massage therapy, guided meditation, and many other simple things can also help you manage stress. Pick one or two of these things and incorporate them whenever possible.