While we find ourselves today, homebound, with possibly a house full of family or hosting just a few members, stress easily creeps in as the walls also seem to close in. Our normal routines are altered, it feels there is nowhere to call your own space and have your own quiet time. Stress can build and resilience lower without regular simple stress reduction techniques.
Chronic stress negatively affects our immune system. Stopping the cycle of chronic stress with small everyday changes will strengthen energy reserves, improve cellular oxygenation, and create a supportive environment for long term healthy aging. There are many stress reduction strategies we can personalize to practice on a regular basis. The key is to use them daily so stress doesn’t build and if in a crisis situation, the strategies come back naturally and work effectively!
We’ve all heard of the benefits of breath work during stress. Simply taking deep breaths alone, is uplifting, clears the mind, transforms thoughts, creates increased confidence, and generates new ideas.
Try some of these highly beneficial stress reduction practices each week, and see how it changes your ability to cope with and transform stress ultimately creating increased resilience.
Daily Suggestions
Go for a walk, hike or bike ride
Listen to music, or dance even 1-2 minute increments can be exhilarating!
Make a new healthy recipe
Breathe deeply from the abdomen to center and ground yourself
Journal 3 things daily you are grateful for; no repeats; get detailed, no repeats!
Do a mental body scan while laying on your back, breathe into tight, congested areas
Do a guided meditation (online, live stream, Facebook)
Get artsy! (i.e. adult coloring books, paint, sketch, science projects- make goo, slime! Sew, knit, crochet)
Give yourself a hand or foot massage
Give yourself a mani/pedicure
Express gratitude to someone
Weekly Suggestions
Spend time with supportive friends or family
Gaze at something you consider beautiful (i.e. sunset, night sky, moon, stars, art or nature)
Try yoga, tai chi, or qi gong
Start an active hobby like tennis, pickle ball, bicycling or gardening
Write a letter or send a notecard to someone you care about or who may be struggling
Get a massage from a partner, then switch after 10 minutes
Soak in an Epsom Salt bath with or without essential oils
Sleep until you wake naturally
Visualize a place you find relaxing, like a beach, a park, mountaintop
Watch a funny movie, book or cartoons and laugh!
This document is only intended to identify modalities that may strengthen the immune system. It is not intended to recommend any treatments, nor have any of these modalities been proven effective against coronavirus. Always consult your healthcare provider or physician prior to using any of these modalities. For specific up-to-date information on COVID-19, please feel free to consult the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at www.cdc.gov.
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