Relax

It’s the easiest way to relieve stress.

Sometimes stress is a good thing. But you know what they say about having too much of a good thing – in this case, it can make you sick. The good news is relaxation is a great way to relieve stress and build resilience. And there are so many different things you can do to relax!

Use your favorite relaxation techniques or try some new ones:

Practice slow, deep breathing

Get a massage

Try yoga

Soak in the tub

Meditate – there are great apps to get you started

Read a good book

Put on some soothing music

There are other stress relievers you can add to your daily routine, too:

Sleep – get as much as you can

Exercise – you can literally work out your anxieties and frustrations

Socialize – connect with the caring people in your life or just share a good laugh

And keep in mind, some of the things we reach for when we’re stressed – like caffeine, tobacco and alcohol – actually make stress worse. They can leave you feeling more anxious and cause sleep problems, so do your best to avoid them.

For more relaxation tips, visit healthpartners.com/healthlibrary and search “stress relief and relaxation.”