Tips for Managing Stress
April is Stress Awareness Month. Stress can significantly impact health and well-being, so it's crucial to understand and manage it.
Stress affects how people think, feel, and act. How individuals handle stress, relate to others, and make choices are all affected by their mental health. Mental health is more than just psychological well-being; it includes emotional and social well-being too. Stress can cause various health problems, including hypertension. Managing stress is essential for mental and physical health.
Here are some tips for reducing stress and improving overall well-being:
- Recognize and counter signs of stress. Your body sends signals that say "I'm stressed out!" These can include difficulty concentrating, headaches, cold hands, tight muscles, a nervous stomach, clenched teeth, feeling on edge, fidgety, irritable or withdrawn. Knowing how your body communicates can help you handle stressful moments. Learn to not only recognize when you are experiencing stress, but also to act to combat their effects.
- Take time for yourself. Take care of yourself every day. It's not selfish or self-indulgent — and it might require saying "no" to requests or prioritizing yourself along with your responsibilities. Start with small changes in your routine to help build resilience to stressful circumstances. Work in time to exercise, eat healthy foods, participate in relaxing activities and sleep. In fact, including a regimen of exercise, which for some may include yoga or meditation, can be very important when feeling stressed. Also, take time to notice the "good minutes" in each day and focus on the positive rather than the negative.
- Try new routines. From scheduling down time to blocking off time to plan and prioritize tasks, additional structure can provide a daily framework that allows you to attune to your body's signals. Then, you can take steps to potentially manage stress earlier.
- Stay connected and make new friends. Stay in touch with family, friends and groups in your life — technology makes this easier than ever. Having or being a person to talk with can be reassuring and calming. For some people, video features and online communications can enhance the sense of connection.
- See problems through a different lens. Experts call changing the way we think and respond to stress "reframing." View sitting in traffic or around the house as an opportunity to enjoy music, podcasts or pleasant views. Reduce anger in response to rude or aggressive behavior by imagining what might be happening in that person's life. Keeping situations in perspective is an important way to boost stress resilience.
- Seek help with problems. Many people experience the same day-to-day strains related to caregiving, relationships, health, work and money. Look to friends and family, as appropriate, or other trusted individuals or resources for tips and information.
- Talk to a health professional if stress is affecting your well-being, you feel you cannot manage the stress you're experiencing, or stress has caused you to engage in or increase substance use.
Your heart has been beating nonstop every day since birth, and taking care of it is one of the most important investments you can make. At Bayou Bend Health System , we stay dedicated to helping patients harness, defend, and improve their heart health through genuine care, advanced tech diagnostics, and individualized treatment. That is how a healthier you begins at Bayou Bend Health System. Why Heart Health Matters Heart disease has been and always will be a leading cause of illness, but many cardiovascular issues can be detected and cared for through prevention. Maintaining heart health slims the risk of stroke, heart attack, hypertension, and other miscellaneous complications. Common heart health concerns include: Hypertension (high blood pressure) High cholesterol Coronary artery disease Arrhythmias (Irregular heart rhythms) Heart failure Knowing your risk factors is the path toward prevention. Preventive Care and Early Detection Preventive cardiology plays a crucial role in long-term heart health. Bayou Bend Health System emphasizes regular screenings and diagnostics to identify issues early—before symptoms develop. Preventive heart care may include: Blood pressure evaluations Cholesterol and lipid tests Heart imaging and diagnostic monitoring Lifestyle counseling and risk assessments By identifying cardiovascular issues early, our providers help patients take preventive steps to protect their hearts and well-being. Managing Heart Conditions with Personalized Care Consistent care and evaluation are vital for those living with heart disease or chronic cardiovascular issues. Bayou Bend Health System offers planned care that focuses on managing conditions, minimizing risks, and daily function improvement. Our approach to heart health includes: Medication management and education Ongoing monitoring and follow-up care Specialist coordination Lifestyle change support in the form of nutrition, physical activity, and stopping smoking Treatment plans are tailored to each of the patients, recognizing that no two individuals—nor their hearts—are the same. Heart-Healthy Lifestyle Support Healthy habits protect your heart immensely. Our professionals work alongside patients to support sustainable lifestyle changes that yield cardiovascular health. These include: balanced diet management, physical activity suggestions, stress management, and medical checkups. The smallest of changes can have the biggest impact on heart health over time, especially when encouraged by trusted healthcare specialists. Your Partner in Cardiovascular Wellness With Bayou Bend Health System, heart care is about more than treating conditions—it’s about establishing long-term relationships with patients and structuring healthier futures for us all. Whether you’re invested in prevention, managing a heart issue, or understanding more about your cardiovascular health, we are here to help every step of the way. Today, take control of your heart health. Compassionate providers, the latest medical services, and a commitment to quality care ensure a healthier you begins at Bayou Bend Health System .
At Bayou Bend Fitness Center, we are committed to helping you stay active, warm, and motivated throughout the winter season.
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