The holidays are nearly over, and 2011 will be here in just a few days. Soon it will be time to put away the last of the decorations and get back to “real life.” And with that reality comes any number of stressful issues.
You may have financial concerns or worries about work. Or maybe you have family conflicts and medical conditions on your mind. Whatever the issue, remember that stress can be dangerous for your mental and physical health. It has been linked to weight gain, sleep disorders, heart disease, and other problems. So it’s important that you find ways to manage the stress you may be feeling.
Here are some ideas:
- Get off the couch. Don’t get in the habit of coming home and collapsing on the couch each evening. Instead, remember that regular exercise is a better way to combat stress. Shoot for at least 30 minutes a day, most days of the week. Go for a walk, take a yoga class, or jump on your bike. Breaking a sweat releases endorphins, which will boost your mood. It will make your heart pump, too, which is good for your cardiovascular health.
- Keep in light. No matter how serious things seem, keep a good sense of humor. If you can laugh at your own mistakes and the problems you encounter, your outlook will be much more positive.
- Be social. If you’re feeling blue, you may keep to yourself. But that can make your emotions worse. Spend time with good friends and family members. Sometimes just talking through your worries can make them much easier to handle.
- Slow down. It may seem as though you have a million responsibilities, but if you do everything too fast, you may make errors—or drive everyone around you crazy. Take a deep breath, and just tackle one thing at a time.
- Watch what you eat and drink. If you’re worried, you may try to find comfort in food and drink, but that will only put on the pounds. Instead, stick to fresh fruits and veggies, whole grains, and lean protein. Don’t overdo the alcohol or the caffeine, since both can raise your blood pressure. Whatever your problem, a pint of ice cream won’t solve it.
- Stop trying to be perfect. Remember to concern yourself with the important stuff and not worry about the little things. If your laundry piles up a bit or a bed goes unmade, it really is okay.
- Get some rest. Even when you’re busy, it’s important that you carve out time for sleep each night. Shoot for seven or eight hours as often as possible. If you’re exhausted, you’ll just get more stressed out.
To learn more about managing stress and controlling blood pressure, contact Plantation General Hospital. Visit us online or call Consult-A-Nurse® at 1-866-442-2362. Serving Plantation and surrounding Central Broward County, we’re here to help keep you healthy.
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