Here are Some Stress Management Activities You Can Try for National Stress Awareness Month

April is National Stress Awareness Month, which means we’re focusing on relaxation and managing stress in healthy ways. According to the American Institute of Stress, “55 percent of Americans are stressed during the day.” While some stress is unavoidable and necessary for avoiding potentially serious situations, a consistent increase of stress levels for longer than necessary can impact your health. Stress effects your central nervous and endocrine systems, but it can also have a significant impact on your respiratory, cardiovascular, digestive, muscular, immune, and reproductive systems.

The good news is that there are healthy ways to cope with the stress of our daily lives. Here are some ideas for managing your stress on a day-to-day basis:

1. Eat nutrient-dense, whole foods
2. Get the recommended amount of exercise
3. Establish a healthy sleeping routine
4. Avoid excess alcohol, tobacco, and substance use
5. Get outside in nature
6. Engage your creativity through reading
7. Do an activity that you enjoy or have always wanted to try
8. Meditation or yoga
9. Work in the garden
10. Spend time with loved ones
11. Speak with a counselor, pastor, doctor, etc.
12. Connect with your community
13. Journal and write down your feelings
14. Smile and laugh

DID YOU KNOW? An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is an employer paid, work-based program that provides confidential and free assessments, short-term counseling, referrals, and follow-up services to employees who have work related personal or financial concerns. Click here to learn more.

Resources

April is National Stress Awareness Month: 7 Tips for Preventing and Managing Stress (bioIQ)

3 Tips to Manage Stress (American Heart Association)

What is Stress? (The American Institute of Stress)

Coping with Stress (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)