Time to De-Stress

Stress can cause and/or aggravate health problems. And since stress is a normal part of human existence we all experience it. It is very important to arm ourselves with knowledge so that we recognize when we are under stress. Often we don’t always notice it’s happening to us. We must pay attention to our bodies and look for signs of it telling us to to de-stress

Stress Awareness Month happens each April.

Here are some more de-stress Tips especially when we are feeling overwhelmed

Meditation 3: Practice for Panic, Stress, and Overwhelm

Standing with your feet about hip width apart and just having the soles of both feet resting on the floor

Standing upright and placing the palm of one of your hands on your belly and the palm of the other hand on the upper chest

Going to begin with some breathing exercises, and this is to help slow down the nervous system

We’re going to take some deep breaths, breathing in the nose if you can. Breathing in and down into the belly. Breathing out 2, 3, 4. Breathing in, 2, 3, 4. Breathing out 2, 3, 4. Breathing in 2, 3, 4. Breathing out 2, 3, 4. And just continuing to breathe in this rhythm as we continue with the practice.

And as you breathe, also notice the weight down in your feet. So notice the weight of your body pushing down into the soles of your feet. Noticing the weight in the heels, the weight in the toes, and on each out breath just really as best you can giving up the weight of your body down into the soles of the feet. So really just fully feeling the weight of your body in the soles of your feet. And continuing to breath in the rhythm. So breathing in 2, 3, 4. Breathing out 2, 3, 4. Breathing in 2, 3, 4. Breathing out 2, 3, 4. Really feeling the weight of your body down in your feet as you breath.

And also as you breath maybe feeling the feel of whichever hand is resting on your upper chest. Maybe having a sense of connection with that hand, the feel of any warmth between the chest and that hand. And this is also going to start to soothe the nervous system. So we call this soothing touch. And just by making contact with our body, signals to our nervous system that we are cared for and that it can begin to calm down, settle, and be soothed.

Breathing, feet on the floor, nice deep breaths. Calming hand on the chest. And just staying here for as long as you like.

Talking to your care team can also be helpful to brainstorm ways to address stress. Our providers at Betances Health Center are here to listen and to work with you to face stress in your life. Call us to talk!