Relax and Recharge for National Stress Management Month

by Simplefill

The stress of having a chronic illness infiltrates all aspects of life. Contrary to popular belief, stress isn’t just an unpleasant emotional state, it affects you right down to the cellular level. As a result, when you’re suffering from unchecked stress, your body isn’t as able to do its best at fighting illness.

Simplefill believes in a holistic, integrative approach to health. We know that each person has the power to proactively enhance their health by keeping stress in check. If you’ve ever wondered, “How does stress impact health?” We have the answers. Here are a few tips that will teach you how to stay calm and keep things in perspective so that stress can take a backseat.

Breathe with Purpose

Breathing is an autonomic body function, which means you don’t consciously think about it. Yet, breathing also has a big impact on our mental state. Breathing normally signals to your brain that you’re safe and that you don’t need to be in fight-or-flight mode. Therefore, just by simply breathing mindfully, we can maintain a calmer, more centered state.

You can practice deep breathing to slow your heart rate and lower your blood pressure. The practice is simple: inhale deeply through your nose, hold the breath for a couple of seconds, and then exhale slowly through your month. Repeat the process five times to help your body relax.

Move Your Body

Exercise is one of the most effective stress management tools and a great way to release endorphins. The CDC recommends that adults get 2.5 hours of aerobic exercise a week, in addition to muscle-strengthening activities twice a week. Yet, it’s easy to get ahead of yourself when embarking on an exercise regime. Remember, it’s best to set realistic goals.

Take Time to Disconnect

We live in a fast-paced, ‘plugged in’ world. Although this keeps us connected to our loved ones, it can also be a source of stress. Consider turning off your phone and stepping away from your computer for at least an hour each day. Leave notifications and unanswered e-mails for a while, they can wait.

Instead, go outside for a walk or meet a friend for coffee. If you’re just starting on the personal journey of how to reduce stress, try initiating this process before bed each night. Reading your favorite blogs or watching your favorite shows is entertaining but stimulating, which makes it harder to fall asleep.

Engage with Your Passion

Think your dreams of becoming the next Van Gogh or Jimmy Hendrix are bygones? It’s never too late to revisit old passions and dive into them headfirst. In fact, a hobby is a great way to lose yourself and forget your everyday worries. The scientific name for this state is ‘flow’. It can be described as a state wherein you are so engrossed in your task that time seems to fly by.

One stressor you can do away with is worrying about affording your prescriptions. Simplefill bridges the gap between you and your medication with prescription assistance. We know it can be stressful to manage your health, so we research every case individually, finding you the most affordable options for your illness.

Learn more about how we help our patient’s access prescription medication and apply for our program. We’d be happy to answer any questions you have. Watch this space to receive more updates on how to live your most fulfilling and healthy life.