Hi, Pearl Team!
Welcome to April – already! I am looking forward to Spring, as I am sure many of you are. I am beginning to think of gardening, more time outdoors walking, or just enjoying the fresh air. Spring is often seen as a season that symbolizes a fresh start, new life, and builds anticipation for the summer months for many of our children.
While we all benefit from a little more sunlight each day and more favorable weather so we can get out and move more, we need to also focus on our whole-body health. Yes, vitamin D from the sun is great for so many things – but so is your state of mind. No matter how beautiful a season may be – stress in inevitable. Since April is National Stress Awareness Month, I wanted to take a minute to discuss the importance of monitoring and relieving stress as well as developing a self-care routine.
One of the ways to monitor your stress is to learn to understand your body’s response to it. Stress comes in many different forms and each of us react to it a little differently, so to monitor your stress, get to know and understand how your body reacts to it. Consider keeping a journal of what triggered the stress, what you have recently eaten, how much exercise you have gotten, and what you have noticed about your body’s response – you may find a common theme that you can then develop a plan of action for so the next time you run into that situation, you will be aware, present, and can enact your plan of action so the response is less and less over time.
Ways to relieve stress and develop self-care routines are plentiful – the trick is to find some that really work for you, something that truly helps to calm your mind and get you focused on something else. Ask yourself “what makes *ME* happy”? It can be something as simple as taking a deep breath, closing your eyes, and thinking about a time in the past where you felt totally calm and happy. Allow yourself to re-live that moment and get immersed in the smiles, laughs, scenery, smells, sensations, and sounds you remember. The more inwardly focused you are on that calm and happy memory, the less the mind can focus on the stress.]
- Here are some other things I, and others I know have used for self-care:
- Read
- Go for a walk
- Exercise
- 4-7-8 breathing
- Inhale for a count of 4, hold for a count of 7, exhale for a count of 8
- Meditate
- Gardening
- Coloring, painting, or drawing
- Do a kind act for someone
- Cook a healthy meal for your family
- Bake something for someone you care about
- Connect with a close friend or relative
- Keep a journal
- Get plenty of sleep
- Stay hydrated
- Eat as healthy as possible
- Keep a daily schedule
- Participate in a sport you enjoy
- Play with your kids
- Play with your pets
- Find a hobby that you enjoy that requires focus
Studies have shown that your mindset can contribute to your physical health in both positive and negative ways. Your mind affects your body, and your body affects your mind. The key is finding a positive balance. Whatever way you find to bring yourself peace – embrace it and make it your own. Make it part of your daily routine. So many of you go above and beyond for others – consider implementing self-care for yourself. You’ll have more of yourself to share if you are happy and healthy.
Happy Spring, everyone!
Merry Korn, MSW
CEO