May is Mental Health Awareness Month and one of our Premier Partners, Comfort Keepers, has provided information about the negative effects of stress and how you can better arm yourself against them. We hope you will take a moment to learn more about how you can benefit from proper self care.
Having worries and concerns is natural, but it is important practice stress-reduction techniques to manage these thoughts
Several studies have shown that stress is linked to mental and physical problems, from anxiety and depression to hypertension and immune system complications. In fact, it’s estimated that stress increases the risk of heart disease by 40%, heart attack by 25%, and stroke by 50%.
The great news is that stress, and the techniques to manage it, are usually easy for most people to practice.
Six Simple Self Care Tips
Simple acts of self-care can reduce stress and boost your overall physical and mental health. Try incorporating these simple but effective self-care hacks into your daily routine to reap the benefits and fill up your cup.
Other Stress Relief Techniques To Try
- Connection can help relieve stress, so call a friend or family member, have a video chat or spend time with loved ones when possible
- Meditate at the same time every day or whenever feelings of stress or anxiety arise
- Practice deep breathing and mindfulness exercises
- Reach out to friends and family to connect and spend time together
- Follow a consistent exercise regimen and healthy diet, upon physician approval
- Journal or jot down thoughts and feelings at the end of each day – and be sure to take a moment to reflect on all the positive things that happened throughout the day
- Find a volunteer opportunity to give back to the community
- Put together and execute a to-do list to increase productivity, decrease feelings of restlessness, and combat procrastination
- Join a yoga class or practice it at home (with physician approval)
- Listen to soothing or relaxing music, especially before bed
- Find a way to laugh, whether it’s by watching a funny TV show/movie or listening to a comedy album