7 Ways to Reduce Stress
Today’s world is busy…very busy. For some people, juggling the demands of work, family, friends, and other responsibilities is a thrill, but most struggle with some level of day-to-day stress. Occasional stress can be a good thing, like the sense of anticipation before a big work presentation you’ve prepared for. However, the buildup of small, daily stressors over time can have serious repercussions on everything from your relationships to your health and well-being.
At its core, chiropractic is about ensuring the health of the whole person. Here are some of our favorite simple ways to reduce day-to-day stress and help you live your best life:
- Put your health at the top of your to-do list. When you are in good health, life’s responsibilities can feel a lot more manageable. Commit to making one small change each week or month to maintain good health, like scheduling your annual doctor and dental visits, incorporating one more serving of vegetables into your daily diet, going to bed a little earlier, and scheduling a chiropractic adjustment. Consistent small changes like these can have a big impact on your health over time.
- Declutter your space. Some people love cleaning and organizing, some people hate it, but we can all agree that a clean and organized space is more peaceful to come home to than clutter and mess. Take a little time each day to put things away, and schedule a day once per month (or every other month) to catch up on your favorite podcasts while you give your home a deep clean.
- Phone a friend. Studies have proven that maintaining an active social life is good for your health, but it can be hard to make the time to get together. Take a small step this week by setting aside 30 minutes to chat with an old friend on the phone. Talking on the phone makes you stay in the moment, and allows you to have more meaningful conversations than you would through text or email.
- Choose a daily positive thought. Instead of checking your phone when you wake up, take moment to breathe and think a positive thought. By saying to yourself “I’m looking forward to _______ today” or “I’m so grateful to wake up healthy today,” instead of reacting to news or Facebook, you set a positive tone for the rest of your day.
- Find one minute for mindfulness. That’s right – you don’t have to meditate for an hour a day to reap the plentiful benefits of mindfulness! Even taking just one minute to tune in to what you are doing, tap into all five senses, and live in the moment can have huge stress-busting benefits. This could be right when you wake up (see tip number 4), on your commute to work, or even while doing the dishes.
- Know when to take a break. Think of yourself as a pot of water on the stove…if the heat gets too high, the pot will boil over. The malicious thing about daily stress is that it can seem insignificant in the moment, but it can build up over time and lead to burnout (your pot can boil over). Check in with yourself each day to see how you are feeling, and have a plan for pulling back if you can tell you are starting to get overwhelmed. Some suggestions are to take some deep breaths, call a friend, take a walk outdoors, or watch a favorite funny show. All of these activities can pull you out of a funk and help you get back on a healthy track.
- Ask for help. No matter how hard you try, it is impossible to alleviate all sources of stress in your life, and there is no shame in reaching out for help when you need it. Help takes many forms: maybe it’s asking a friend or family member to take the kids for an afternoon so you can relax, or asking your doctor for a therapy referral. We all need a little help sometimes, so don’t hesitate to ask for it.
At Kennedy Chiropractic, we want to help everyone in Wauwatosa and surrounding communities live their best, healthiest, happiest lives. Give us a call today to set up a consultation.
