4 Steps to Add to Your Daily Routine to Beat Stress

Elderly Care in Okemos MI

Elderly Care in Okemos MIUsually when you're feeling stressed, your first reaction is probably to remove activities and steps from your day to streamline it. Adding just one of these steps to your day can actually help you to feel less stressed, though.

Do a Daily "Scan" of Your Body

Often we don't pay attention to how our bodies feel until they go out of their way to let us know, with pulled muscles and aching joints. Try to get in tune with yourself before your body brings out the big guns. Take a few minutes at the start of each day to close your eyes and mentally go over every part of your body. Does anything feel off? Are your muscles tighter than usual? Do you feel all stuffed up because of allergies? Listen to what your body is telling you for a few minutes so that you know where to take extra care with yourself today.

Mediate for Even a Few Minutes

There's often a misconception that meditation has to be done perfectly in order to be beneficial. The reality is that you only need to try clearing your mind for a few minutes, focusing on your breathing the whole time. When you do find your mind wandering, because it will, gently bring yourself back to focusing on your breathing. Start with just a few minutes at a time and gradually work up to longer sessions.

Check Your Breathing

During the day, periodically think about your breathing. When you're stressed, you're likely to breathe much more shallowly and quickly. This can actually help to keep you in a stressed, fight or flight feeling. When you notice that you're breathing too quickly and too shallowly, take a quick break and concentrate on making your breathing more deep and even. Then go back to your day.

Reach Out to Loved Ones

All too often you find that you're too busy to catch up with the people that you love. Make it a point to spend a few minutes each day reaching out to at least one person you care about. Even if you're only reaching out via text, that's a way for you to connect with someone else and to remind them that you love them.

If at any time you've thought, "I just don't have time for that," maybe it's time to talk to your loved one's elderly care providers about carving some time out of each day just for you.

If you or an aging loved one are considering elderly care in Okemos, MI, please contact the caring staff at Seniors Helping Seniors of Lansing. Call today: 517-332-9953.