You At Your Best

SPeciAl to you At youR BeSt Stress can affect people's lives at any moment. Some say that a certain measure of stress can be a good thing that pushes individuals to try their best to overcome obstacles. However, chronic stress is potentially dangerous for the mind and body. 2020 was a stressful year for many people. A global pandemic that emerged in late 2019 and continued into the new year brought with it many changes - some of which are unprecedented. Concerns about the COVID-19 virus, unemployment, reduced wages, and uncertainty about the future has left many people feeling adrift. According to the American Psychological Association's Stress in America survey, the average reported stress level for adults in the United States related to the coronavirus pandemic is 5.9. When asked to rate their stress level in general, the average reported stress for American adults is 5.4. This is higher than the average stress level reported in 2019, which was 4.9, and marks the first significant increase in average reported stress since the survey began in 2007. Pandemic stress mixed with existing stress may require additional coping techniques. Turn negative thinking into positive thinking The occasional pep talk can help people manage their stress. Rather than saying "Everything is going wrong," tell yourself "I can handle this, I have done it before." Find the silver lining in situations and they may not feel so stressful. Take things one step at a time Getting ahead of yourself by looking too far into the future can compound stress. Focus on the here and now. Make to-do lists and take situations as they come day by day or hour by hour. Situations are often fluid, so worrying about something that is weeks away is often fruitless. Exercise regularly Find opportunities to exercise. The Mayo Clinic says exercise in almost any form can act as a stress reliever. Physical activity can release your feel- good endorphins and distract you from daily worries. Exercise also can mimic the effects of stress, helping to condition the body to its effects and buffer the cardiovascular, digestive and immune systems from negative effects. Seek out social support Chances are someone you know also is experiencing increased stress loads. Find the time for conversation, video chats or safe, socially distanced meet-ups with friends. Each person can share their unique frustrations and collectively you can work through the stress. Don't drown in perfectionism Trying to be mistake-free can trigger anxiety and stress. Being perfect is impossible and everyone makes mistakes. According to Psych Central, mistake-making can lead to growth and experience, while perfectionism may staunch growth because a person is too afraid to take chances. Not every decision you make will be ideal, but each is a learning experience. Stress is something most people come up against in their daily lives, perhaps more so than ever right now. But stress can be wrangled and minimized for a healthier life. Pandemic stress mixed with existing stress may require additional coping techniques. Coping with stress the globe, gathering evidence from more than 140 studies involving more than 290 million people. Researchers associated with the study also suggested that the practice of Shinrin- yoku, often referred to as "forest bathing," which is popular in Japan and promotes spending time in nature, exposes people to a diverse array of bacteria present in natural areas that may benefit the immune system and reduce inflammation. Developed in Japan in the 1980s, the practice of has become a part of Japanese medicine. Unfortunately, the amount of time people spend outdoors has dramatically decreased, as the Environmental Protection Agency now reports the average American spends 87 percent of his or her time in a residence, school building or workplace. Being outside is linked to better moods, more physical activity and less exposure to contaminants (concentrations of some pollutants are often two to five times higher indoors). Also, people who spend time outside may not come into contact with surface germs or develop various illnesses spread as often as those who spend a lot of time indoors. Researchers cannot pinpoint exactly why people who spend ample time in greenspaces enjoy better health. However, the benefits appear to be so wide-ranging as to suggest that people who currently do not spend much time in greenspaces should make a concerted effort to do so. The following are a handful of ways to start spending more time enjoying nature here in beautiful Northwest Arkansas. • Dine al fresco. On nights when the weather is fair, take dinner into the great outdoors—on the patio or on the deck in the backyard, or even at a local park for nighttime picnics. • Get off the couch. Don't hesitate to get outside when night falls. Spend time in the backyard or go for nightly walks around the neighborhood or in a nearby park. Say so long to television binging sessions, making healthier and more beneficial use of nightly free time by utilizing nearby greenspaces. • Go hiking or biking on weekends. There are so many beautiful hiking and biking trails to choose from. You'll also get a host of cardiovascular benefits and a great, full-body workout. So get out and enjoy one of the many forested trails, listen to the sound of a babbling creek or just soak in the greenspaces here in Northwest Arkansas. The boost to your overall health may be just what the doctor ordered. during uncertain times suNday, February 28, 2021 | March - Natural health & WellNess NWadg.cOM/yOuatyOurbest | yOu at yOur best | 7

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