Project: Wellness Article for Mental Health Clinic Blog

Stress has earned the title of "silent killer" for good reason. It is a major contributor to many physical and mental health problems. Chronic stress can increase cortisol levels, which are known as the "stress hormone." Cortisol can have adverse effects on our bodies and minds. It's important to manage stress levels for our overall well-being. Here are the top five practices for reducing stress and enhancing our daily lives:

1. Practice Mindfulness

Mindfulness is the ability to be fully present and aware of what we're doing in the moment. It involves being in control of our emotions and responses and focusing solely on one task at a time. This can help reduce stress because it allows us to slow down and minimize distractions. Practicing mindfulness promotes mental calmness and clarity, which can help us handle stress better.

2. Engage in Physical Movement

Exercise is a proven stress reducer. Engaging in physical activity, such as yoga, pilates, barre, or low-impact workouts, can decrease cortisol levels. High-intensity exercises can increase cortisol levels, so it's important to find an exercise routine that benefits your body without adding additional stress.

3. Journaling

When most people hear “journaling” they imagine a thirteen year old girl lying on her bed, scribbling away in a diary about her crush’s dreamy eyes. This is not the type of journaling to incorporate in order to reduce stress. Journaling can help relieve stress by providing an outlet for our thoughts, worries, and frustrations. Writing down what's on our mind, whether in a physical journal or digital document, can help us process our emotions and move on from them.

4. Grounding

No, not the kind of grounding you remember from when you were a teenager sneaking out to a party you weren’t allowed to go to. Grounding is the act of bringing oneself back to a calm state during a stressful situation. This can be achieved through breathing techniques, focusing on something in the room using our senses, meditation, or other practices. Grounding helps us step back from a stressful experience and return to a state of calm.

5. Self-Care

We hear it all the time: “self-care is important”. “Take the time for yourself.” “Treat yourself.” As annoying as it can be to hear too often, there is so much truth behind these commands. Self-care is essential for maintaining our well-being. Without taking time for ourselves, we can quickly become depleted. Self-care is personalized and can be anything that recharges our batteries, from soaking in the bubble-filled, candle-lit tub to kayaking on a peaceful lake, self-care looks different for everyone. It's important to identify what self-care looks like for us and make it a priority in our lives.