Resolutions for a Better You: Resolve to Reduce Your Stress

It’s April 1. It’s time to revisit our New Year resolutions. Did you resolve to take better care of yourself? Are you making strides in achieving a healthier you—mind, body and soul?

At Gurwin, we have resolved to help you make some small changes throughout the year that will help you achieve your goal, and we give you tips to help on the first Tuesday of the month. So far, we suggested you donate blood, add a little exercise and change your eating habits to trim some calories. This month, we focus on a resolution to reduce stress.

Stress is part of our everyday lives. In fact, some stress is good because it motivates us to accomplish our goals—but stress can also have a negative impact on our health, compromising our bodies, our minds and our behaviors. We can fight those negative impacts by practicing stress reduction techniques, which help to lower our blood pressure and relax our bodies. Here are eight suggestions that you can use daily to help keep your resolution to reduce the stress in your life:

BREATHE:  Close your eyes, inhale through your nose to a count of three and exhale though your mouth to a count of three. Repeat several times to calm your mind and body.

EXERCISE:  Taking a walk, doing yoga or participating in any cardio exercise will decrease stress.

MEDITATE:  Add meditation to your daily routine. Just a few minutes per day can help reduce stress and help clear your mind.

GET a MASSAGE:  The power of touch reduces stress dramatically!

LISTEN TO MUSIC:  Music affects the part of the brain that helps to relax us.

LAUGH:  Laughter truly can be the best medicine. Laughter releases endorphins, which helps you to relax!

GIVE or GET a HUG:  Again, touch can be relaxing to our senses, and sharing that intimate touch can reduce stress tremendously.

TAKE BATH:  Warm water relaxes the body—sink in, and feel your stress seep away!

These are just a few of many quick stress reduction techniques. Of course, relaxation techniques are very individual, so do what works for you! Resolve to add one stress reduction technique to your routine each day, and you’ll notice a difference—mind, body and soul!

By Ellyn Troisi, RN, MPH, FNP-C

Ellyn is the Employee Health Nurse Practitioner at the Gurwin Jewish Nursing & Rehabilitation Center. To learn more about Gurwin's family of healthcare services, visit our website at www.gurwin.org.