Simple Ways to Eliminate Stress this Spring

Keeping Your Stress Under Control

Whether you’ve been stuck in traffic or you’ve experienced a major life event, you’re no stranger to the effects of stress. However, having too much stress in your life can be detrimental to your health, making it important that you find healthy ways to cope with it.

In light of Stress Awareness Month, the experts at ATRIO Health Plans are here to share some tips to help you to regulate your stress levels.

How Stress Affects Your Health

When you’re in a stressful situation, your body has a natural response to the stress to help protect you by pumping stress hormones like cortisol into your body. When under distress, your body reacts in the following ways:

• Higher heart rate
• Higher blood pressure
• Increased energy

While these responses are fine every now and then, prolonged exposure to your body’s stress response can lead to the following health issues:

• Shortness of breath
• Asthma attacks
• Higher risk for heart attack, stroke, and hypertension
• Heart disease
• Heartburn and acid reflux
• Nausea and vomiting
• Digestive issues
• Erectile dysfunction
• Increased risk of anxiety and depression

Tips For Stress Management

While this information can be daunting, there are plenty of healthy ways that you can effectively manage your stress levels.

Deep Clean Your Space

With springtime upon us, what better time than now to give your home a deep-clean? Many people find that cleaning and organizing their space can help to ease distressing emotions. While you may not be able to control the factors in your life causing your stress, taking control of your own space can lead to a more relaxed state.

Try Outdoor Yoga

For many people struggling with high levels of stress, yoga is an excellent option to improve their mental health. This self-soothing technique help to regulate your physical response to perceived stress in the following ways:

• Reduces heart rate
• Lowers blood pressure
• Regulates respiration
• Quiets racing thoughts

If you’re unfamiliar with yoga, try attending a beginner class to help ease your mind.

Take a Nature Walk

One of the easiest ways you can take a moment to relax is to go for a nature walk or hike on your favorite trails. Not only is walking an excellent way to work toward your weekly fitness goals, but it also enhances your sense of wellbeing because it releases endorphins. So the next time you feel like you need a break, grab your favorite music and some comfortable shoes and head outdoors.