Reclaim Your Calm
Meet the new year with a renew focus on your mental health. Everyone feels overwhelmed at times, but too much stress can be hard on your mental, emotional, and physical health, so it is important to find ways to offset those negative effects.
Here are a few healthy habits from Kaiser Permanente® that can help you stay cool under pressure.
Sweat more, stress less.
Symptoms of stress can create a vicious cycle between your mind and body. Physical activity helps to break this cycle by relieving tension and releasing feel-good brain chemicals that fight the effects of stress – any type of physical activity can help reduce stress. The positive effects can be felt immediately.
Eat right and stay hydrated.
Take good care of your mind and body by keeping health foods on hand, cutting back on sugar and caffeine, and drinking plenty of water. A few small changes in your daily habits can make a big difference in how you feel.
Take a break to breathe.
When stress strikes, try a few minutes of deep breathing. Breath in for a count of 5, hold for 5, and exhale for 5. Repeat 10 times or until you start feeling more calm, grounded, and focused.
Unplug to recharge.
Your phone needs time to recharge, so does your brain. Disconnecting from digital noise for a little while each day can help you stress less, sleep better, and spend time doing more rewarding activities.
Get creative
Studies have shown that spending time doing creative activities can help with stress and boost overall well-being. It doesn’t even matter what you do – maybe you’ll draw, journal, play music, or knot – as long as it is creative and you enjoy it.
Visit kp.org/stressmanagement to learn additional ways to manage stress, before it manages you.
Take Charge. Live Well!
