Healthy Changes
How Are You DOING?
When Do You Relax?

In the last issue of this newsletter, we ran an article on relaxation. Have you learned new ways to add relaxation to your day? This article can help you check your progress.

Stress Factors
Are you aware of how excess stress can affect your health? Check off the statements that are true for you:

I am aware that chronic stress can contribute to health problems such as headaches, heart disease, back pain and depression.
I know that stress can cause an increase in heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate and muscle tension.
I know the mental risk factors for stress, such as feeling overwhelmed, being edgy and tense and worrying a lot.
I know the physical risk factors for stress, including headaches, stomach upset, back or neck pain, teeth grinding, difficulty sleeping and relying on caffeine or alcohol to get me through the day.

Even if you checked off just one of these statements, you’ve taken a positive step to increase your awareness about your health. Make it a goal to learn something about at least one more of these statements in the next month. Now let’s see how you can take action to reduce your stress level.

Ease Your Body and Mind
Have you thought about what you can do to help reduce stress? Fill in the answers below and see where you might add relaxation to your life.

I practice relaxation daily.
I relax by doing _______________________ for ____ minutes ____ days a week.

I have activities or hobbies that I do regularly and that are relaxing.
They are: __________________________.

I have tried/will try one of the following relaxation techniques:

If you practice relaxation regularly, congratulations! You’ve taken a big step toward better mental and physical health. If you haven’t gotten started yet, think about what’s holding you back. Choose a relaxation activity that appeals to you and try it for a week. Sometimes, feeling is believing.

Back to Top