Hello! 
This month is a focus on stress reduction. Key points to consider: - Recipe for stress reduction
- Spend some time doing and noticing how you breathe
- It is important to evaluate what your stress level is and how it can be minimized
- Symptoms of stress
Kathryn Fink, MS, RD, CSSD, LD
Nutrition & Fitness Consultant
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Stress Reduction Month
April is Stress Reduction Month.
Very few of us are lucky enough to have a stress free life. We all have stress and at times the stress can feel unbearable. It is times like this that having a grounding technique and a way to decrease your anxiety can help center your attention and decrease the level of stress.
A grounding technique can be one that focuses on some of your senses: note 5 things you see, hear, smell, touch (be careful when thinking about taste as many people struggle with using food (too much or too little) during stressful times.
Another activity is to focus on the mindfulness of breath. Start by just breathing in and out. It can help to focus to close your eyes but is not essential. Continue to just focus on your breath, breathing in and out. Each time your mind starts to wonder, your job is just bring your mind back to focusing on breathing in and out. Your mind will wander many times; your job is to continue to focus on your breath. The more you practice this activity, the easier it is to focus on breathing in and out and directing your mind back to your breath. This activity can be a way to keep your thoughts from going multiple different directions and help to center you.
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Stress Symptoms
Be alert for some symptoms of stress...
- Sleep disturbance
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Gastrointestinal complications
- Muscle pains or cramping especially in neck and shoulders
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