Ways to Win during March Madness Month – Practice Stress Management

Check out these Elite 8 Tips for Stress Management

Our lives are busy – sometimes too busy. We all have demands – perhaps they are from work, family, extended family, school and more. Many of us feel stressed and on overload. Do you ever find it is hard to find the balance between work, family and all the demands we experience?

How do you experience stress?

• Does your heart race?
• Do you have sleepless nights?
• Are you anxious and on edge?
• Do you over-eat?
• Is your stomach upset?
• Are you irritable or angry?
• Do you have muscle tension or pain?
• Are you fatigued?
• Do you over-use drugs or alcohol?
• Are you sad and depressed?

As you see there are many signs and symptoms of stress, and everyone experiences one or more of these at different times in their lives. While some stress, such as deadline can be beneficial at keeping you on task, there are some stresses that are ongoing – ongoing stress can cause physical illness. Becoming aware of the possible symptoms will increase your awareness of stress so that you can begin to manage your symptoms before they get out of control.

Let’s look at how we can “win” this month by practicing stress relieving techniques.

Tips

Try one or more of the Elite 8 Tips for Reducing Stress:

1. Take a walk outdoors. With warmer weather you can more easily walk outside. Take it to the sidewalk, path or outdoor area. This has been a long winter, being outside and enjoying the outdoors and sunshine can help reduce stress levels.
2.  Practice a mindfulness technique. According to OSU Wexner Medical Center’s website, mindfulness is paying attention in three ways: on purpose, in the moment and without judgment. Try one of their free mindful recordings.  Or contact your local Ohio State University Extension’s Family and Consumer Sciences Educator to see what Mindfulness programs are offered.
3. Talk to a friend, co-worker, or family member. When under excess stress, talking to someone can help reduce the stress and possibly generate options to reduce the stress. Seek professional help if you can’t get the stress levels under control.
4. Healthy lifestyles can help you manage excess stress in your life. Eating vegetables and fruits and a healthy diet, engaging in regular physical activity and getting enough sleep build up your stress relieving reservoir.
5.  Give the stress to a piece of paper. Take 10 to 15 minutes to write about the stress in your life and how it makes you feel. Getting it out on paper may help you generate options for reducing your stress levels.
6. Have fun! Spend time on a hobby or activity that you enjoy. Create something, work a puzzle, or read to reduce your stress levels. 
7. Practice Deep Breathing techniques.   Practicing these exercises can reduce the stress in your life. Take time to learn deep breathing techniques to reduce your stress levels.
8. Get a massage. Massage utilizes touch to relieve stress and tension. Visit a licensed massage therapist to help reduce your body stress.

Practicing these techniques or other ways to reduce stress can help you manage your stress and face the challenges we all experience. Remember that it takes time and practice to become proficient with a technique. Allow enough time for the technique to work for you.

Pick one of the Elite 8 and try it today!