May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Many of us are experiencing stress or anxiety due to recent events. Here are 3 simple and healthy ways to reduce stress and lift your spirits:
1. KEEP FIT & GET SOME SUNSHINE
Moving your body not only reduces stress, but it gets your heart pumping and boosts your mood. Even if you don’t have time for a long workout, a few minutes of exercise per day can reduce stress.
Try walking, jogging or biking around the block every day. Get out in the sun at least once a day – even during your lunch break or right before dinner. Sunshine stimulates the release of a hormone in your body that relieves stress.
You can do quick exercises even when you’re indoors. Try push-ups, lunges or squats.
2. LISTEN TO MUSIC & DANCE
Listening to music can lift your spirits and reduce psychological tension. Studies show that music helps us relax & calms the mind.
Skip the talk radio. Instead of turning on the television when you’re home, play some tunes that make you happy. Don’t forget to play some dance music…dancing is a great stress buster!
3. ALWAYS FIND TIME TO LAUGH
That old saying, “Laughter is the best medicine”, is absolutely true. Laughter helps relieve stress and muscle tension.
Humor activates the release of endorphins. It increases your intake of oxygen and stimulates the heart.
I like watching funny movies while I’m home. You can also enjoy a good laugh while watching your favorite comedians on many streaming platforms.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255
Edna Dimataga-Fernandez founded The Wellness Institute in 2013. The company utilizes a holistic model of wellness consulting focusing on the 6 dimensions of organizational well-being: physical, mental, emotional, social, spiritual & financial health. The Wellness Institute provides holistic health assessments, corporate well-being workshops & wellness consultations with holistic health practitioners. Wellness-Spring, the company’s holistic health store, sells organic & non-toxic health & beauty products. A portion of the proceeds is donated back to causes that support women, children, health, wellness & education. She has worked & consulted for companies in the insurance & financial services industry, the medical & behavioral health field and the non-profit sector. Edna holds a B.A. in Economics from UCLA and an MBA from Keller Graduate School of Management. She is a Past President (2010-11) of the National Association of Insurance & Financial Advisors - Los Angeles Chapter and is an approved Continuing Education Provider for the California Department of Insurance.