As much as we enjoy the emerging
flowers and warmer weather of April, there can be a bit of a dark
cloud hanging in the spring sky. Often the first few weeks of the
month are a rush of receipts and 1040’s as the April 15 Tax
deadline looms, and a rush of new schedules as the kids’ sports
seasons fire up. Maybe that’s why April is Stress Awareness Month;
to remind us to take care of ourselves, and not let stress go
unchecked. The following are four ways you can control your stress levels.
Meditation
Meditation does not have to be about
pretzeled legs, chanting, and reaching enlightenment. It can simply
be about creating a moment of stillness in your mind as a way to
become more relaxed. Just one minute, 60
seconds
of
meditation,
can dramatically improve your mood, your productivity and the quality
of your day.
Exercise
It can be tough to make time for
exercise when the schedule gets tight and tensions get high. But
that's when it becomes even more important. Exercise can relieve the
physical symptoms of stress like fatigue, pain, and moodiness. If you
can't make time for daily workout, try to fit a 5-10 minute walk
outside into some part of your day. A little goes a long way when you
need it. Plus, around here, this winter has been rough on all of us. We all know these nice days are counted, so take advantage of the sunshine when we have it. You will feel better right away.
Giggle and hum
Both laughter and music can lower the
blood pressure. In fact, this
study
in
2011 showed that 3 months of laughter or music therapy
resulted in the same drop in blood pressure that could be achieved
with a low-salt diet, losing 10 pounds, or taking a
blood-pressure-lowering medication.
So cue up the "Who's on first?"
or dance around with your kids while making dinner and work some
giggling and humming into your day. Not in the mood, you can fake it until you become it. Smile and laugh until it becomes real. You will get the same effect.
Massage
Regular massage can improve sleep,
relieve headaches, reduce muscle pain, and improve moods. Plus,
massage feels good. When you feel good, you play more, work more
efficiently, and take better care of the people you love. Schedule a massage now to prepare for a busy (and fun) spring!
Commit to taking care of yourself
this spring! You may be surprised with the results.
