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April 11, 2016 0 Comments

5 Tips to Manage Stress

Stress is one of those things that has become a fact of life, but how you manage it can make all the difference in your health.  Although you might not have the stress of a commute or office environment, you likely deal with more distractions and the temptation to work around the clock.

While stress is basically inevitable in our fast paced world, there are certain things you can do to reduce and manage it.  Read along for some of our best tips to manage the stressors in your life.

Identify them

If you feel like a constant ball of stress, it’s important to take a minute to identify what’s causing the stress.  Maybe you assume that it’s your carpool duties, but it’s really a work project that you put off until you have to leave for the car line.  Shifting your schedule a bit and knowing where your stress takes place is the first step in making changes.

Meditate

Meditation is all the rage right now – and for good reason.  It helps to quiet the mind, and there are numerous ways in which you can meditate.  Whether you sit quietly listening to music and observe your thoughts, sit by the ocean, or choose something more formal, looking into meditation is a key step.

Try the Headspace app for something quick and simple. Headspace is a free app that provides some “extra calm and clarity” in 10-minute sessions.  This is a great way to get started with meditation and to fit it into your already busy life.

Exercise

Exercise isn’t only healthy for your body, it’s healthy for your mind. Exercise can help to release stress in the body, as well as release endorphins for a natural boost of happiness and calm.  You don’t need to do this for hours each day, but start with a good variety: a mix of cardio for endorphins, yoga for a calm mind, and light weights for a strength boost.

Get outside

Nature is calming and grounding, so take a few minutes each day to walk around outside, feel the breeze on your face, and simply take in some fresh air.  This is a simple task, but once that can relax your system and help you to see the beauty around you.  Take a few slow, deep breaths and spend a few minutes connecting to nature.

Schedule fun

When you’re stressed, most things can seem less than fun, and it can seem like you’re stuck in a cycle of a lot of work and obligations.  It’s okay to say “no” to unnecessary things, as well as incredibly important to schedule some fun into your days and weeks.  Think of something fun that you could do each day – can you meet a friend for coffee?  Have a weekly lunch date with a local co-worker. Plan a fun playdate over your lunch hour.  Do something that will get you out of your routine and out of the stressed out mode that you find yourself in.

Stress is part of our lives, but it can be controlled and managed with a little effort.  Take a few minutes to quiet your mind, incorporate exercise, get in touch with nature, and schedule some fun to manage stress in a healthy, productive way!

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July 20, 2015 0 Comments

5 Tips to Reduce Stress Working from Home

While working from home eliminates a lot of everyday stresses like commutes and office noise, it can still be stressful with distractions and a lot of sitting.

Most work from home jobs are done via computer, so there’s a lot of time spent sitting, which can be taxing on the body as well as stressful. Although busy days will happen, it’s important to take steps to keep your body and mind as stress-free as possible!

Stretch

Stretching not only keeps your body loose and limber, it’s a great mental break.  When you can take a minute to release the built-up tension, you’ll look and feel much better throughout your day.

Stretching doesn’t have to be an intense yoga practice, but there are numerous streaming yoga websites that offer 5-minute classes and tutorials that can help you feel better in no time.  In addition to free videos on YouTube, you can try some of these sites for yoga videos ranging from 5-90 minutes.  Another benefit of workouts from home is that you can do yoga in increments throughout your day!

Some sites to try: My Yoga Works – https://www.myyogaworks.com/

YogaGlo – https://www.yogaglo.com/

Udaya – https://www.udaya.com/

Meditate

Meditation is another way to center the mind and reduce tension, and it doesn’t have to last for an hour! It’s a simple tool that helps you to focus on you breath and being still, all things that can be challenging in our fast-paced workday.

You can now do meditation through a variety of apps and websites, and all it takes is a few minutes of quiet and calm.

Try some of the apps listed in the 5 Best Meditation Apps at Psychology Today.

Walk around

Walking is great for mental health! Believe it or not, a simple walk can change the course of your entire day. Getting your blood flowing and getting out in nature (if possible) is a great way to keep stress levels low.

You can find a variety of 1-3+ mile walking workouts online if weather is an issue, or simply take a 5-20 minute stroll a few times per day outside. It may not sound like much, but walking will lower your stress levels much more than intense exercise.

Time for yourself

Working from home can sometimes feel like you’re trying to do it all at once. Between kids, housework, and actual work, it can be a bit overwhelming.  This is why it is crucial to take time for yourself! Whether you can meet a friend for coffee during the day or want to schedule an after work pedicure, be sure that you’re including these treats every so often.  Small acts of pampering go a long way to reducing stress and giving you something fun to look forward to.

Breathe

Take a deep breath! When we’re stressed, deep, calming breaths are the first thing to go. Place your hands on your chest and feel your breath go in and out. Do this a few times per day for a few minutes.  The awareness and calm that this brings is important, and it can be done just about anywhere.  Remember to breathe when things get tense – it will help you work through the stress!

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