April is Stress Awareness Month
7 Ways to Destress:
1. Get a change of scenery – If you are working remotely from home try another room in your home to work. A trip to the beach or local park working from your wi-fi for a couple of hours so that you can enjoy nature while you work.
2. Take a social media timeout – Social media is an excellent tool and I personally love it; however, it can also be distracting and studies show it can increase depression and anxiety secondary to the social phenomenon of FOMO or otherwise known as Fear Of Missing Out. Give yourself and timeout and focus on your personal goals, accomplishments and gratitude.
3. Tap into inner artist – Coloring books for adults are gaining popularity and can be easily found on Amazon. Coloring is a great strategy for relaxing and increasing one’s creativity. How many of remember the paint by numbers, those were cool!
4. Dance like no one is watching – the chemicals released during physical activity also help release stress from your body. So turn-up and move to the beat until you are wore out from the laughter and joy of movement.
5. Face the issue – Stress can also the be result of dodging necessary conversations and addressing challenges in our lives. So make the decision to have that crucial conversation or a plan to tackle that financial crisis so that you can breathe and move on.
6. Go to sleep – The body needs at least six hours of sleep to operate at its best level so ensure that you are getting proper rest for the body to rejuvenate.
7. Love yourself – Write yourself a love letter to remind yourself of how amazing you are; it is easy to lose ourselves in the lives of those around us that we are supporting. Make sure you are reminding yourself that you are important and the value that you bring everyday.
About the Author
HCDVCC Training Director,
Thecia Jenkins