Top tips to reduce stress
04 April 2021
Stress is essential to our existence. It’s a mighty force that can power us forward to overcome challenges and meet goals, but left unsupervised, stress can quite literally start to take charge of your life.
Too much stress takes its toll on our physical, mental, and emotional health and, if allowed to continue, can take years off your life.
The good news is that by learning to manage stress instead of letting stress manage you, it’s possible to improve your quality of life whilst also extending it. Here’s how...
Get active
Did you know exercise creates chemical changes in your brain that can improve your mood? From yoga to gardening, pick an activity you enjoy and make it a regular habit.
Embrace a healthy diet
As we age, we need to ensure we’re getting the right vitamins and minerals along with plenty of protein, fibre, and water. Limiting salt, alcohol and caffeine is recommended too.
Control what you can
Rooting out the cause of what’s making us feel stressed and taking positive steps to overcome it can be hugely empowering – and effective!
Stay connected
When stress sets in, the temptation can be to cut ourselves off from friends and family, yet often this is when we need them most – to talk, listen or lend a hand.
Make more ‘me time’
A lifetime spent putting others first might mean your needs tend to come last but making regular time for yourself – even just to read or watch a movie – is vital for your wellbeing.
Try something new
Learning a new skill stimulates the brain cells, helping to delay ageing. Anyone for Pilates, learning a new language or painting with watercolours? Use it or lose it!
Get good rest
A lack of sleep increases stress levels so it’s worth exploring ways to improve your sleep habits. Simple changes include keeping to a regular sleep time and creating a good routine before you go to bed to help your mind and body wind down ready for rest.
Delegate
If things are getting on top of you and you’re lucky to have someone who’s happy to share the load, be willing to take them up on their offer, or ask for help if you need it.
Be positive
Negative self-talk can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Staying hopeful about situations and the future helps you to significantly decrease anxiety and maintain a sense of perspective.
Declutter
A tidy house is a tidy mind. Start afresh and clear the physical and emotional clutter from your life. You’ll soon feel your stress levels improve and that your overall sense of wellbeing has lifted.
Live better with Brio
Within all of our communities, we’ve worked hard to remove the stress out of later living so you can focus on enjoying the retirement you deserve. From exciting daily events and activities to healthy pursuits in our wellness and fitness suites, the Brio lifestyle is designed to nurture both body and mind.