Tips to Help Successfully Manage Your Stress
April is Stress Awareness Month. Although stress is natural and something that we all deal with, many people may not realize the impact that stress can have on our health. Stress is the body’s natural reaction to any change that prompts a physical, mental, or emotional response. While it’s true that our bodies are designed to experience and react to stress, continuous stress without the necessary relief or relaxation can lead to stress-related tension and negative affects on our physical and mental health including headaches, heart disease, stomach issues, high blood pressure, and more.
Being overstressed can lead to new health issues and also exacerbate or trigger existing diseases and ailments. That’s why it’s so important to manage your stress in a healthy, productive way. The healthcare providers at Abraham Family Medicine suggest taking the following steps to help better manage your daily stress:
- Exercise regularly. Getting even moderate daily exercise (around 30 minutes per day) is one of the most surefire ways to ease your body and mind after a stressful day. Additionally, exercise can also help improve your mood. This can mean a vigorous workout, playing a sport, taking a walk around the neighborhood, or household tasks like chores or gardening.
- Give your muscles a break. Stress can make the muscles tense, so taking simple steps to relax your muscles can go a long way towards reducing stress. Stretching, taking a hot shower or bath, and (most importantly) making sure to get enough sleep (7-9 hours nightly) are all highly recommended stress reducers.
- Eating a balanced diet can help you feel better, maintain a good mood, and limit stress. We recommend getting the necessary amounts of fresh fruits and vegetables daily and eating whole grains and lean proteins for energy. Keep in mind that skipping meals can actually increase your stress.
- Take some time to decompress. It’s important to give your mind some time away from the things in life that most lead to stress. This means taking some time away from your smartphone and other devices. We recommend making time every day for calming activities like deep breathing exercises, yoga, meditation, reading, and more.
Stress is unavoidable, but hopefully these tips can help you deal with your stress in a healthier way and avoid and stress-related health concerns for now and for years to come. For more information or if you would like to schedule an appointment, please contact Abraham Family Medicine today. Our providers offer a wide variety of general healthcare services for patients of all ages at our Snellville office, located very close to Grayson, Dacula, and Lilburn.
