Stress is a big part of everyday life as an American. The American Psychological Association conducted a study and found that more than half of us are stressed about health insurance costs. That stress extends to concerns about health insurance costs of loved ones.
"Given the uncertain fate of our nation's health care system, it is not surprising that the majority of those adults surveyed expressed concerns about access to health care and costs," said Arthur C. Evans Jr., PhD, APA's chief executive officer.
April 16 is National Stress Day and the Health Source Chiropractor group released a list of tips on how to de-stress.
- Take a Break. Give yourself permission to step away from stressful situations and do something else.
- Exercise. Just a 20-minute walk, run, or swim can give you immediate relief that can last for several hours.
- Smile and Laugh. Our brains are interconnected with our emotions and facial expressions, making laughter great medicine for stress.
- Get Social Support. Call a friend, send an email to share your concerns or feelings with another person.
- Take Care of Yourself. Eat right, get enough sleep, and drink plenty of water. Nutritional supplements for relaxation can also help.
- Address Pain. Head, neck, back and other chronic pain can create stress, which in turn, can create more pain. Get treatment to stop the cycle.
- Get a Massage. Massages can help relax tight and painful muscles, improve range of motion in the joints, enhance circulation and lower stress levels.
- Meditate. Meditation and mindful prayer help the mind and body to relax and focus.
They're also handing out free massages at participating HealthSource clinics. They have seven locations in metro-Atlanta.
