We are continuing the conversation on The Foundations of Health. We’ve talked about nutrition, exercise, sleep and now stress! If you haven’t already check out those previous blogs. 

We talk about stress all the time at Omnia Health. Why? Because chronic stress is a driver of disease. Chronic, overwhelming stress can trigger symptoms like IBS, migraines, headaches, high blood pressure, palpitations, chronic fatigue, anxiety, depression and more! 

We can’t always change the stress in our life so how can we improve our stress levels? Well, the only thing we can control is how we respond to stress or how we manage stress. Let’s talk about ways we can do that!

Tip # 1 – Find ways to trim your schedule.

First, where in your life can you trim your schedule? We get to be busy bodies and fill our schedules to the maximum. Cut yourself a break and look into ways you can find some time.

• Can you get into a carpool
• Order your groceries online
• Look at your schedule in advance so you can feel organized
• Delegate!

Tip # 2 – Meditate! No, candles are not needed!

Another way we can learn to better manage our stress is through meditation. It’s an amazing tool that all of us have access to. It can really alter how we respond to stress. It takes us out of that fight and flight, sympathetic drive and shifts us into the rest, digest and heal zone of parasympathetic activity. 

With that said, figure out what meditation works for you. There are tons of apps to help you out. Or just sit and breathe! Be calm. Take 5 minutes and just sit. That’s something not many of us do. Studies show that meditation from just 5 minutes can make a difference in your stress response. When you hear meditation, you might think you need 45 minutes, candles and blowing white curtains but that’s not what we’re talking about! We’re just taking the time to sit, to connect with ourselves and to focus on the world around us and how we’re responding to the world. 

Meditation, we always say, if it was a pill it would be a million dollar industry. There are so many benefits! 

• Lowers cortisol levels
• Grows our brain
• Helps us focus
• Lifts our mood
• Helps with self compassion
• Reduce job strain and burnout, and increase job satisfaction

Tip # 3 – What do you do for fun?

How do you connect with your community, family and friends? Are you taking the time to nurture those connections? Spending time with loved ones can be such a stress relief and shouldn’t be taken for granted. 

My husband and I have what we call, “deck dates”. Where we sit and relax after work and talk about our day, the kids or just spend the time reconnecting.

Make sure you carve out that time to spend with whomever! Those connections lower our stress. 

We have to figure out how we can manage our stress in our daily lives and not let stress take control over us. 

Let us know if you have any comments, questions or concerns!