Chronic stress has been found to reduce immune function, making us more susceptible to illness. Stress is unavoidable in our daily lives, but how we manage it is key. If you can’t eliminate your stressors, try to find healthy ways to manage your stress so it takes less of a toll on your health. 

Chill by yourself

Meditation has been found to reduce stress and support healthy immune function. If you feel like your mind wanders too much to sit still, try guided meditation to give you some direction.

Stretch it out

Don’t underestimate the power of a good stretch. Yoga is a great way to relieve stress as it gives you time to unwind, relax, and release tension. You don’t have to be able to bend yourself into a pretzel to enjoy yoga, either. Bonus – it’s easy to do at home with limited space.

Get active

Exercise of all kinds is helpful for stress relief and improving the immune system. Pick exercise that you enjoy doing and think outside of the box! You don’t have to go jogging to get health benefits – activities like gardening, dancing, or playing tag with your kids all count as exercise!

Find humor

Did you know that laughing is good for you? When you laugh, it helps to reduce the body’s stress response and aids in relaxation. If you can make laughter a regular part of your life, it can even support the immune system. Call up your friend who always has a joke at the ready, watch your favorite comedy, or even fake laugh until it turns into a real one!

Ask for support

Taking on too much by ourselves lets the stress pile up. If you’re overwhelmed, reach out to a partner, close friend, co-worker, or health professional. You can also reach out to a Health Coach in your Brook app to discuss more de-stressing techniques, and set a goal around self-care. Having someone to lend a helping hand takes some of the load off your shoulders.