How Are You Feeling?
There are several types of stress and we all tend to face these at different times in our lives. The everyday stresses of jobs and family are the most common. Then there is the stress of sudden changes in our routines like we are currently experiencing due to the coronavirus.
Working from home, while kiddos are home (in some cases trying to work and home school your kids), along with “social distancing” is a lot to take in. Add to that the amount of information being pushed from different sources via constant updates, notifications, breaking news and developments, it’s overwhelming and stressful.
People handle stress in many different ways. With this in mind, below are just a few quick ideas to help reduce some of the stress you may be feeling during these uncertain times.
Deep breathing. This is a good way to relax. Try it a couple of times every day. Here’s how to do it.1. Lie down, or sit in a chair;2. Rest your hands on your stomach;3. Slowly count to four, and inhale through your nose. Feel your stomach rise. Hold it for a second;4. Slowly count to four while you exhale through your mouth. To control how fast you exhale, purse your lips like you’re going to whistle. Your stomach will slowly fall;5. Repeat five to ten times
Exercise. Even 20-30 minutes a day of walking is a great stress reliever and a good way to get your mind off your daily worries. Additionally, there are so many at home workouts that you can do to stay active. I’ll be sharing some workouts on the BHF YouTube channel so stay tuned! Also for anyone with kids at home check out this awesome cardio workout that you can do together with your kids.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dhCM0C6GnrY&reload=9
Read a Book. When’s the last time you read a good book? This is a good time to pull out that book you’ve been too busy to read. A book can be a wonderful escape to take your mind off a stressful situation for a little while.
Eat Healthy Foods. Stress can be harmful to your body. Right now maintaining a healthy immune system is paramount. Commit to eating foods that not only help reduce stress, but aid in boosting your immune system. Below are some foods you can include in your diet:
Fatty Fish
Leafy Greens
Fruits and Veggies high in Vitamin C
Comfort foods like oatmeal
Pistachios and Almonds
Black Tea
Phone a Friend. Sometimes expressing your thoughts are just the release you need. If you are feeling overwhelmed by the current shifts happening in the world, call a friend and ask them if they have a minute to talk about the change. A good healthy dialogue with a friend is always good medicine. That’s what friends are for, right?
The key is to find your stress reliever and make it a practice.
Stay safe and healthy,
Brandi