Relieve Stress for a Healthier New Year
(Family Features) Stress, the physical or mental response to external causes like overwhelming work assignments or difficult life moments, can add unnecessary pressure to your day-to-day. While everyone feels stress from time to time, when left untreated or unrecognized, it can begin to wreak havoc in the form of anxiety.
As the new year begins, it’s the perfect time to reset, focus on self-care, and embrace healthier habits to reduce stress and improve overall well-being. Consider these strategies from the National Institutes of Mental Health to combat stress in 2025.
Learn Your Triggers
Different events and situations cause stress for different people. Knowing what triggers your stress to kick in—mounds of office paperwork, important financial decisions, or hectic mornings, for example—can help you plan and prepare for stress-inducing moments.
Exercise and Eat Right
Maintaining physical health can be beneficial for mental health, too. Find time to do exercises you enjoy, like walking, jogging, yoga, or playing a sport. Identifying activities that bring you joy can make it easier to fit 30-60-minute workouts into your schedule without adding even more stress. Complement your workout routine with nutritional meals that help you stay on track with your fitness goals.
Practice Relaxation
Whether you find inner peace through journaling, breathing exercises, reading, or some other form of slowing down, find what works for you and prioritize fitting it into your daily schedule. Relaxing activities help you slow down the pace of life, providing a chance to reset by doing something you enjoy.
Get Enough Sleep
A lack of quality sleep can add to stress. Creating a bedtime routine can improve your sleep habits and help you achieve the expert-recommended 7-9 hours per night. Put away electronics, which can interfere with your ability to calm your mind, and find an activity that puts you at ease, like reading a book or listening to relaxing music. Ensure your bedroom is optimized for comfort by making it cool, dark, and quiet.
Create a Network of Support
Everyone experiences stress. Reach out to family members and close friends you can lean on in stressful and frustrating moments. Share your feelings and encourage others to do the same, which can increase trust and help everyone in your circle cope in a positive way.
Take a Hike for Peace of Mind
Hiking in the Sierra Nevada offers a powerful remedy for stress, providing a natural escape from life’s daily pressures. The serene beauty of alpine lakes, the soothing sounds of rustling trees, and the invigorating mountain air create the perfect environment for relaxation and mindfulness. Whether you’re taking a leisurely stroll through meadows in Yosemite’s high country or embarking on a challenging trek along the Pacific Crest Trail, the Sierra invites you to slow down, reset, and find balance. Let the trails become your space for reflection, rejuvenation, and reconnection with yourself and nature.
Find more ways to combat stress and care for your mental health at eLivingtoday.com.
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