Stress management is a key component of mental wellness. The burden stress brings can cause physiological changes like faster breathing, increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, and an increase in muscle tension.

Mental health is essential at every life stage, from childhood and adolescence through to adulthood. Working toward work-life balance can be as simple as prioritizing your own wellness. Whatever self-care means to you, it is important that you find a personal practice you can implement in your daily routine to support overall physical, mental, and emotional wellness.

Managing Stress with Activity

One healthy way to manage stress is through physical activity. Movement is one of the best gifts you can give your body. Exercise stimulates endorphin production in the brain, which naturally relieves tension and anxiety. Exercises like running, weightlifting, and yoga help our bodies relax and relieve overall tension and stress. And any decrease in stress hormones in the body is an increase in support for healthy cardiovascular performance.

Additional long-term benefits of stress-relieving exercise may include:

Maintain a healthy resting blood pressure
Support for a healthy resting heart rate
Increase in calories burned to aid weight loss
Assist in the ability to draw deeper breaths

Managing Stress with Mindfulness

Mindfulness-based strategies teach body-coping skills that can calm your mind while increasing your energy and mood by quieting your internal dialogue. Start by putting yourself in a quiet, comfortable place where you can self-reflect without interuption. Your meditations can occur sitting or standing, and can even be done while walking if you prefer a different atmosphere.

Practicing mindfulness regularly will result in a new way of approaching a wide range of activities in your lifestyle. There is no right or wrong way to meditate; all that matters is your intention, and the rest will take care of itself. Some people report doing their chores or performing mundane tasks while reflecting on life goals, all completed in a relaxed state. And as an added benefit, you can look forward to this time rather than consider it a boring necessity.