The celebration of the 2021 New Year was not as easy or comforting as it has been in the past. The big question is: How do we manage our stress and anxiety through this pandemic? Here are five cost-free tips on how you can align and redirect your energy towards a healthy mental and emotional state. Children can join too to benefit from these practices!
Get Enough Sleep. Stress can lead to sleep deprivation. Anxious thoughts and feelings keep us up at night. Insufficient sleep leads to further stress, so work on lowering your stress levels hours before you go to sleep. Prime your body for bed by staying away from devices and artificial lights. Save your worries for tomorrow’s battle.
Get Enough Exercise. Physical exercise is a positive stressor that benefits our health and well being. You don’t need an expensive gym membership to use exercise as an effective stress management tool. Engage in moderate athletic pursuits such as a 30 minute jog, bike ride, skate, swim, or you can even put on some music and dance it out! Try to change your daily routine and choose the stairs or walk when convenient!
Laughter Prescription. The saying “laughter is the best medicine” may be old, but there are benefits to the physiological and psychological effects of humor. Laughter has a stress-relief effect that helps improve your heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure. Do and watch silly things, or make an activity of creating memes! Original jokes are encouraged!
Watch Your Diet. What you eat affects your mood and health in many ways. Emotional hunger typically leans towards “comfort foods,” which are tasty but undeniably unhealthy. Often, this habit tends to go hand in hand with overeating. Combat this by having access to healthier snack options such as nuts, salads, and fruits, and keep portion control in mind.
Nature Therapy. Exposure to nature has health benefits which include reduced stress hormones, lowered blood pressure, and healthier blood glucose levels. Schedule regular walks through nature to feel relaxed and comforted by the green hues of trees and blue hues of the sky. The goal is not to work yourself physically, but to embrace deep breaths of air and give attention to your immediate environment.
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