Breathe In, Breathe Out

Our world is under a tremendous amount of stress right now. It is difficult to function when you do not have a way to relieve the tension that builds each day. Here are a few suggestions of daily activities you can use to reduce your stress levels. Each suggestion consists of an activity I have tried in the past or I am using in routine practice right now. 

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• Headspace: https://www.headspace.com/health-covid-19

A popular app which helps you reduce stress and increase mindfulness across numerous aspects of daily living (e.g., work, relationships, sleep, etc.). This particular link is for healthcare workers. Headspace is offering free access to their Plus program through the end of 2020. All you need is your NPI (National Provider Identifier) and your email address.  
If you are not in the healthcare field, but are interested in Headspace, the app does offer a free trial with limited access to their content, with plans for purchase after a 1-2 week period. For more information, click here: https://www.headspace.com/

• Meditation

As a person who previously did not engage in meditation at all, this is a great practice to relieve stress. Right now, my favorite resources are One Mind Dharma (https://oneminddharma.com/) and Meditation Oasis (https://www.meditationoasis.com/), both of which have podcasts libraries filled with different meditation episodes dependent upon need. I will typically listen to episodes before I go to bed to wind down, or when I’m on a break during the day if my stress is particularly high. Meditation Oasis is currently offering their Meditation RX app for free as long as the Coronavirus Pandemic lasts. Check them out!

• Stop watching. Read or listen. 

Pandemic coverage is everywhere, and rightly so. But you need to disconnect at some point in order to regain your energy. When you do so, read a book or listen to an audio book. Many stores, websites, and apps are putting out decent deals to reduce prices and make products more accessible. Also, listen to some music! You would be amazed how much better you feel after 30 minutes of your favorite playlist. 

• Get active!

Exercise is not only good for your body, but for your mind and emotional health as well. And you don’t need a gym to get a good sweat in. I have subscribed to a couple fitness channels through Youtube which give me a variety of activities so I don’t get bored. My favorites are 

• FitnessBlender (https://www.youtube.com/user/FitnessBlender): high intensity cardio workouts with and without equipment
• PsycheTruth (https://www.youtube.com/user/psychetruth): I use primarily for yoga
• Yoga with Adriene (https://www.youtube.com/user/yogawithadriene): pretty self explanatory :) 

Remember, you are human. You may have a really good streak with managing your stress levels, only to have a really bad day which wipes out your progress. That is okay. I can tell you I have had at least two days like that this week alone. Work on building your strength for today to support your foundation for tomorrow. That way if you have set backs, you are more equipped to handle them in the future.

What stress relieving techniques are you using during this time? If you take the time to read, please take the time to comment! Your suggestions might help another reader!

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