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Tips to reduce stress in your life

Many of us have always-on lifestyles with constant news and updates from friends, family and social media. This constant connection can sometimes makes us feel overwhelmed and have more stress and anxiety. With so many things distracting us, it’s important to find time to destress.

tips to reduce stress in your lifeWhat is stress and anxiety?

Stress is our response to external events like an argument, being in an accident or dealing with high-pressure situations. Stress usually goes away once the situation that caused it is over. Anxiety is your body’s reaction to stress and usually involves a feeling of apprehension or dread that does not go away. Both stress and anxiety can negatively affect your health by causing you to feel uneasy or have tension, headaches, high blood pressure and loss of sleep. 

What can I do to cope with stress?

Learning what causes or triggers your stress and using coping techniques to help reduce those feelings can help improve your wellbeing.

Here are some ideas to help you cope with stress:

  1. Exercise regularly. Just 30 minutes of walking a day can help boost your mood and improve your health. Aim for at least 30 minutes, five days a week (150 minutes).
  2. Take breaks from social media and the news. Use the time to unplug and do activities you enjoy.
  3. Take care of your body by eating well-balanced meals, having a regular sleep schedule and avoiding excessive caffeine and alcohol.
  4. Learn some relaxing activities, such as meditation, muscle relaxation or breathing exercises. Set aside time on your calendar, set up reminders or use an app to help you include these activities.
  5. Try a new hobby to mix up your routine. Activities like journaling, reading, gardening or learning a new language can be therapeutic and relieve stress. If you don’t know where to start, try a few different hobbies until you find one that matches your interests.
  6. Try to be optimistic. Challenge your negative thoughts and try to see the bright side. But don’t brush your emotions under the rug. Sometimes acknowledging your emotions and identifying them can help you better understand your feelings and help you move on.

When you should seek help

If you find you are struggling to reduce or cope with your feelings of stress and anxiety, talk to your doctor. Your doctor can help you find resources, treatment options or refer you to a mental health provider.

If you don’t have a doctor, you can find one using our Find Care tool on the member website and in the Blue Cross of Idaho member app. Make sure to log in when searching for a doctor so that you only see doctors who are in your network.

Helpful resources

If you or someone you know are struggling with chronic stress, mental illness or a substance use disorder, here are some resources that can help you get support:

Download the Blue Cross of Idaho member app

Get all the important features you need for on-the-go care with our member app. In the member app, you can search for a doctor or facility, view and send your member ID card, view your claims and more. Download the member app from the App Store or Google Play Store.

 

Posted: May 10, 2023