3 Daily Habits to Help Reduce Stress

   

Set your intention

   The first thing you can do every morning, before you even get your coffee, is to think about your intention for the day. What will be your "main theme" of the day? Aiming your focus like this not only helps you prioritize, but it also puts you at the steering wheel. Often it can feel like life is dragging us around, but setting an intention like this can help you have control over what we want to do with the day that is given to you. Your intention might be to focus on your job and make a dent in a project, or perhaps it self-care and making calls for doctors' appointments. Recently, your intentions have been to make progress on a project at work and to be present for your kids. Having a focus or intention helps you have a North Star for the day so you don’t get stuck mentally.

Move your body

   The second daily task is to find 15-30 minutes for physical activity, preferably outdoors. This is because exercise is not only good for your physical health, but it can help your mental and emotional well-being too. If you can do it outside and be in the sun, that is definitely a bonus -- sunshine is thought to release serotonin, a hormone that helps mood and focus. Taking a break from your work for even a 15-minute walk can leave you more energized, ultimately helping your mood and productivity. Often you go on your stationary bike just for 15 minutes with your favorite play list, and you can feel a boost from it.

Practice gratitude

   Third ritual is at the end of the day. And this is to take a moment and just list 1-2 things that you are truly grateful for. You can try to be as specific as possible, this takes more thought, and you find that the extra effort pays off. Think about what it is and why you are grateful for it. For example, yesterday, you were very grateful for your room. That sounds trivial, but it aren’t -- your room feels like a sanctuary to you, a space where you can think and be creative. Feeling grateful for your home, family, health, or a friend helps you shift from stressed out and negative to a more positive perspective. And this can help your emotional stress levels, especially during this pandemic.

  If you’ve tried habits like these but your stress level still seems really high, it is important to reach out for help. It could be your family or a friend, but sometimes you might need professional help, so consider seeing a therapist. Many are conducting therapy via tele-appointments. There are also a variety of apps, teletherapy, and even SMS texting such as Talkspace, Woebot, and Crisis Text Line that are literally at your fingertips. Make sure you use these tools, and reach out to your doctor if you need to.

HealthyLife#