Feeling stressed out lately? We don’t blame you. In the past 2 years, our world has gone through an unprecedented time, impacting the way we work, live, and play. We commend you for not only adjusting to the turbulence of new norms but for also finding ways to stay healthy and #domore of what you love.
April is National Stress Awareness Month, and we think it’s vitally important to continue having conversations about managing stress in our lives. And while some stress can be healthy for our bodies, like jumping in a 3-minute cryotherapy session, it’s long-term stress (chronic) that we need to be mindful of. So, how often have you been checking in with yourself? Are there hobbies that make you feel more grounded, or stressors you can cut back in your life? Work-life balance, we’re lookin’ at you!
Everyone’s life situation looks a little different, but three things we know to be true are that good nutrition, exercise and sleep are the trifectas of maintaining healthy homeostasis.
Nutrition
We hear a lot about eating a diet full of fresh, whole foods, but what does that look like exactly? Well, drinking plenty of freshwater lays the foundation for adequate nutrition. The EWG's Tap Water Database is a great resource to check your local tap water’s toxicity levels. You’ll probably be surprised how many pollutants may be hiding in your water supply. If you can, try purchasing a filtration system to ensure you’re giving your cells the best that they deserve.
After hydration, comes nutrition. A good rule of thumb is to try and shop on the edges of the grocery stores, as aisles contain more processed, refined foods. Stock your diet with an array of colors, and try to eat according to what’s in season, which helps vary your diet, reduce your carbon footprint, and increase nutrition. What’s on our plate this month: Carrot ginger soup, oven-roasted salmon and asparagus, and sautéed baby artichokes.
Exercise
Exercise doesn’t have to mean running six miles or doing a 60-minute HIIT (high-intensity interval training) class. 30 minutes of moderate activity five days a week is the gold standard, so be sure to squeeze that lunch-time walk in!
It’s no surprise then that regular exercise has been proven to protect against the negative emotional consequences of stress. Pro tip: After a workout, we like to recover with Compression to help support healing, boost circulation, relieve minor pain and swelling, and optimize range of motion.
Sleep
There’s always that one person in your life that brags about only sleeping 4 hours per night. And while each person is certainly wired differently, it’s really the duration, timing, and quality of sleep that affects your health. Stress and sleep surely dance in a vicious cycle: stress levels impact sleep quality and vice versa. Mindfulness meditation is a great tool to help foster more restful sleep, along with calming teas such as chamomile and lavender to soothe the nervous system.
Other helpful reminders: Skip the nightly social scroll before shuteye. Instagram can wait! Also, be mindful of stimulants you consume, such as caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine. These substances not only disrupt sleep but also amplify stress in the body.
Are there other stress-reducing tips that help you during times of overload? Send us a DM on our Instagram for a chance to be featured on our feed! And remember fam, stress less so you can #domore of what you love!
