Stress affects overall health
We all know that stress is a silent instigator of health disorders. And today, given the uncertainty of Covid, stress is high and its affects could wreak havoc on overall health. Today more than ever many of us are experiencing real fears and we need to ensure our stress levels are in check before our overall health is affected.
Some signs of stress are:
- Disrupted sleeping or eating patterns
- Difficulty concentrating
- Increased alcohol consumption.
If you are noticing any of these signs, the following five suggestions might offer some relief:
- Put down your phone. If you find yourself watching, reading or listening to Covid news stories that are disturbing, take a break from this activity. Put down your phone and go for a 10 minute walk outside. It’s amazing what a little fresh air and time away from your phone can do. Try cooking a nice meal, or baking a new recipe. Time away from your phone will take your mind off of the crisis and in-so-doing, neutralize your fears.
- Take care of your body. Try to eat healthy, well-balanced meals that are low in sugar. Choose vegetables over sugared or salty processed foods. Try celery with peanut butter, or carrots dipped in ranch dressing instead of chips or sugary snacks. Try to get daily exercise, too – at least 20 minutes of walking and exercising each day. Taking care of your body is essential to stress reduction and will help you feel better overall.
- Get plenty of sleep. Try to condition yourself into a regular sleep routine. Set a bedtime AND a wake-up time – and try to stick with it! Whether you are tired or awake, try to go to bed and stay in bed at the sleep and wake times you set. After a few weeks of doing this, your body will adjust and bring you naturally back to a restful state. The restful state will help reduce stress in your body and help you feel better.
- Connect with others. Call and converse with people you love and who love and care about you. Now that the weather is getting warmer, sitting outside with family, keeping Covid safe-distancing, will invite conversation. And good conversations do wonders for your mental health.
- Reduce caffeine and alcohol. Drink decaffeinated coffee and stay away from alcohol. Try ginger ale or club soda instead of your usual alcoholic beverage of choice. In eliminating caffeine and alcohol from your diet, you will have more energy at night and less fogginess in the morning. Doing such which will naturally help you “feel” better.
If after trying to decrease your stress you still feel overwhelmed, you might need to seek professional help.
Water Gap Wellness offers expert care for anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, addiction disorder and/or PTSD. Our program offers an on-site psychiatrist daily, two private counseling sessions weekly and group sessions three times daily. Additionally, our housing is located at the beautiful Water Gap Wellness Inn, adjacent to the Appalachian Trail and on a private golf course.
If you or a loved one are unable to find relief from stress, please reach out to us. We can help. 1-833-WGW-HOPE.
Most insurance accepted.
written by Annette Kaiser, Water Gap Wellness
