In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, stress has become a constant for many. However, incorporating simple yet effective stress-relief strategies into your daily routine can make a significant difference in your overall physical and mental well-being.
Here are some practical tips from the CDC, along with simple (and local) ways to relieve stress and make healthy choices in the new year:
Take breaks from news stories, including those on social media. It’s good to be informed, but constant information about negative events can be upsetting. Consider limiting news to just a couple times a day and disconnecting from phone, TV, and computer screens for a while.
Take care of your body: Staying physically healthy can improve your emotional well-being. Whether you’re already a gym rat or working towards developing a sustainable exercise routine, Parkland/Coral Springs and the surrounding areas have plenty of options to help you stay active.
Eat healthy. Have fruits and vegetables, lean protein, whole grains, and low-fat or no-fat dairy. Limit foods with unhealthy fats, salt, and added sugars. Luckily, living in South Florida makes it just a bit easier to eat well all year. From the many smoothie and juice shops to our nearby locally owned healthy eateries, our town is perfect for people who want food that doesn’t skimp on flavor or nutrition.
Get enough sleep. Go to bed and wake up at the same time each day to help you sleep better. Adults need 7 or more hours per night.
Move more and sit less. Every little bit of physical activity helps. Start small and build up to 2 ½ hours a week. You can break it into smaller amounts such as 20 to 30 minutes a day. Many locals enjoy taking a brisk cool walk first thing in the morning or an afternoon stroll to break up the day. Either way, spending time outdoors and connecting with nature is proven to have a calming effect on the mind.