Learn to manage stress in healthy ways

Feeling stressed out? So are a lot of other people as COVID-19 takes its toll on emotional, physical, and financial well-being. But a global pandemic isn’t the only source of stress you might experience.

Money, work, family matters, and health concerns are also common sources of stress, according to the American Psychological Association.

Stress is a normal part of life. And some stress can even help you finish a project, achieve a goal, or take action to navigate a difficult problem. Even good things can be stressful like getting married, starting a new job, or figuring out how to work from home. But if you’re always stressed out, it’s bad for your health.

Research shows chronic stress raises your risk for:

• Anxiety
• Certain types of cancer
• Depression
• Diabetes
• Eating disorders
• Heart disease
• Mental health problems
• Trouble sleeping
• Weakened immune system, and more

Are you stressed out? Here’s what to watch for:
Too much stress can take a toll on your health and happiness. Learn to recognize stress so you can take action to protect your health. You might be stressed out if you:

• Have trouble sleeping (insomnia or you sleep more 9 hours)
• Binge eat or lose your appetite
• Think about your problems all the time

• Feel like giving up on everything, work, family, hobbies, etc.
• Have regular headaches, back problems, digestive issues, or fatigue

• Experience regular feelings of depression, anxiety, or anger
• Have trouble maintaining healthy relationships
• Turn to alcohol, tobacco, and other substances

Any of those sound familiar? You’re not alone. Stress can show up in a lot of different ways. Fortunately, you can learn to manage stress in positive ways to protect your health. Here are some things you can do:

Be more active
Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise per day. Try walking, yoga, cycling, or some other activity you enjoy. Exercise helps reduce elevated levels of stress hormones and boosts hormones linked to happiness. Don’t forget to upload your activity to the FitLyfe platform to earn wellness rewards.

Breathe
Any time you’re feeling stressed out, stop and take a minute to breathe. Inhale deeply and slowly, filling your lungs with air. Then exhale slowly. Take 10 deep breaths. It’s a simple way to help your brain reduce feelings of anger, anxiety, and fear.

Get your Zzzs
When you don’t sleep enough, stress hormones tend to remain elevated. Aim for 7 to 8 hours of sleep a night, or take a nap during the day.

Do something you enjoy
Pick a favorite hobby like golf, sewing, billiards, reading, cooking, or something else. When you’re feeling stressed out, set aside time to do things you enjoy. It’s a great way to step away from your problems, reduce stress, and thing about things in a different way.

Talk it out
Call a friend. Make an appointment with a counselor or therapist. Join a support group. Talking about stress in your life, and learning about how others are coping, often helps you feel better, and think more clearly about how to manage your situation.

Eat healthy foods
You’ll feel better and think better if you’re getting the vitamins and nutrients you need. Avoid or limit soda, sweets, caffeine and fast food. Eat more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and legumes. And drink plenty of water. Use MyFitnessPal to keep track of what you eat with the FitLyfe platform.

Clear your plate
No, we’re not talking about eating. Keep your diet in check (see above). Take a closer look at your schedule and commitments. If you’re overbooked, look for things you can cancel, postpone, or delegate. Make time in your schedule for relaxation and self-care.

Laugh it off
Watch a funny movie. Read a funny book. Look up funny videos on YouTube. Ask your friends to send you funny jokes. It’s a great way to improve your mood, reduce stress, and improve your health.

Life can get busy, crazy, and stressful at times. We’ve definitely experienced that as the world tries to cope with COVID-19. But instead of feeling overwhelmed and stressed out, choose a different response. Smile, laugh, or use one of these natural stress busters to improve your mood and your health.