Stress Less....Starting Now!

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A new year is upon us and many of us are setting goals to improve our overall well being.
A big hurdle that many of us face is how to deal with stress. Check out a few simple steps below to help manage stress.

Write It Down: Grab a journal and write down what’s happening. What do you want to change? Can you pinpoint the source of your stress and create a plan to alleviate it. Write about your goals and what you hope to achieve. This simple practice will help you manage your stress and focus on the things that are most important to you.

Manage Your To-Do List: Sometimes, just looking at your to-do can cause additional stress! Trim the to-do list to manageable goals and be realistic about what you can achieve in a day. If there is no way that you can do 35 things in a particular day, create multiple lists so that you can manage each day without the additional stress of feeling like you can get it all done!

Learn to Say No: At home and at work, it is hard to learn when to say no. If your schedule is packed and you are feeling overwhelmed, do not take on more responsibility simply out of guilt or because you are afraid to say no. Take on the things that you enjoy – not the ones that cause you stress!

Take Care of Your Body: When stress is in high gear, many people get overwhelmed and cut out their workouts or eat poorly. Working out can help you reduce your stress levels and work out the anxiety. Try yoga or gentle stretching. Grab a bottle of water and head outside for a walk. Aim to get moving for 30 minutes each day, stay hydrated, and get a good night of sleep!

Make Time for Yourself:

  • Turn off the computer
  • Step away from your emails
  • Turn off your ringer
  • Light a soothing candle
  • Take a bath
  • Listen to your favorite relaxing music
  • Enjoy a foot massage or pedicure
  • Rub your shoulders
  • Look at pictures of your faviorte vacation or loved ones

Even if you have just 15 minutes, take that time to reset and recharge.

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