Managing stress is important year round, but experts set aside April to bring more awareness to this vital health issue. Use Stress Awareness Month to take a look at your own stress levels. Are they too high? Do you manage stress appropriately? Better stress management means better sleep, mental health, and overall wellness.

Why is it Important to Manage Stress?

Stress often seems like something you can put off to deal with later. It doesn’t seem as pressing as eating well or exercising, but chronic stress is a serious health concern. Unmanaged stress is related to:

• Cardiovascular disease
• Lowered immunity
• Faster aging
• Digestive disorders
• Poor sleep
• Weight gain and obesity

A Month of Stress Relief Activities

Let Stress Awareness Month be a time to reflect on your current stress levels. Make stress management a priority. Our April stress management calendar has several ideas for simple activities you can use to reduce and cope with daily stress:

Go for a Walk

Both exercise and time spent outdoors are excellent for reducing stress and its adverse effects.Studies have found that time spent outside lowers heart rate and blood pressure. Regular exercise is associated with reduced stress and improved mood.

You don’t need to do intense exercise or go to the wilderness to get the benefits of exercise and nature. Combine the two with a walk around your neighborhood. The fresh air combined with light exercise does wonders for stress levels.

Hug Your Loved Ones

A simple moment of shared affection with a loved one is easy but also a powerful way to reduce stress. Regular hugs fortify relationships, which in turn help you better manage the stress in your life. A hug is a simple way to reach out for comfort and to show you care. It benefits both the giver and receiver.

There is even science behind the benefits of hugs. One study found that a hug on a day when you experience something negative modifies the natural stress response. In other words, you feel less stressed by the negative event than you would have without a hug.

Try Box Breathing

Practice this military method for stress, which you can find on the BetterSleep app. Used by the military to stay calm in extreme situations, anyone can benefit from box breathing. Practice it now, so you can put it to use to lower stress in a challenging situation.

Box breathing is a simple type of meditation in which you count to four while inhaling, holding your breath, exhaling, and holding your breath again. It’s also known as 4 x 4 breathing.

Harness the Power of Smell

Aromatherapy is a holistic practice that uses the aromas of plant extracts for healing. There is some evidence that certain aromas can reduce stress. You don’t need fancy aromatherapy products to get the benefits. Light a candle with a scent you find relaxing and use it as a backdrop for meditating, breathing exercises, and other stress relief techniques.

As you take a critical look at your stress management this month, consider making meditation a regular practice. Check out the guided meditations on BetterSleep to get started. Even as a beginner, you can find hundreds of meditations to match your needs.