Web-extra (February 15, 2018): Ten Tips For Managing Stress;
Celebrate Heart Month by living healthier, happier.
P.S.A. from the University of Ottawa Heart Institute.
The one thing we can rely on in the 21st century is stress. Whether happy eustress, or unhappy, distress, we do need some degree of stress to keep us alert and alive. But too much stress can have a damaging effect on our minds and bodies. In a world of constant noises, lights, screens and increasingly intrusive stimuli, stress has an easy entrance into modern lives.
Esther Doucette, social worker in Cardiac Prevention and Rehabilitation at The University of Ottawa Heart Institute offers these 10 tips to reduce stress in day-to-day life:
- Exercise regularly. Exercising at least three to five times a week helps to relax and condition your body and mind.
- Breathe deeply. Take a few deep breaths. Notice how it changes how you feel.
- Be aware of quick fixes. Try to avoid the tendency to consume more alcohol and non-prescribed drugs in stressful times.
- Notice your thoughts. Reflect on how you think about what’s causing you stress. A trusted person or a counsellor can help you see things in a new way.
- Relax the muscles in your body. Stress can make your body tense. Try to relax the areas where you carry the most stress.
- Recognize what you can’t control. Reflect on what you can control, and let go of things beyond your control.
- Take a break. Give yourself permission to nap, listen to music, read, meditate or just have some quiet time.
- Make time for things you enjoy. Set time aside for hobbies or learning something new.
- Avoid exposure to stress. If possible, avoid unnecessary triggers for stress, such as distressing TV shows.
- Evaluate your commitments. Consider how you spend your time and letting go of some committments.
With these tips and mindful awareness of our surroundings and how we are reacting to daily stresses, we can enhance the duration of our lives and our loves.
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