SDA | Wellness is Senior Dining Association initiative to improve all aspects of wellness for our members, and their families and teams.
Create a plan
Tip: Create a plan around any new practice. Determine a daily time you can check-in, reflect on the previous day and create intentions for the new day. Use your routine to your benefit: check in during a daily activity, like during your commute to work. If you forget to check in, let it go and create reminders using your phone or sticky notes to help you remember the next day.
Practice noticing stress symptoms
Tip: Stress self awareness. We all respond to stress differently. Some have physical symptoms like difficulty falling or staying asleep, headaches, tight shoulders or nausea. Some of us overthink or are hard on ourselves when stressed. Others may lash out or withdraw. Most of us experience a combination of the three. Practice noticing what your body experiences when stressed. Start by reflecting at the end of your day; it can be hard to do in the moment.
try to notice other symptoms
Tip: Stress self awareness. Once you know one sign of you being stressed (like difficulty sleeping, overthinking, or being irritable), pay attention to that symptom. When it crops up next, pause and try to notice other symptoms. The more aware you are of your body feeling stress, the better informed you are to combat it.
WHAT HELPS YOU DE-STRESS?
Tip: Combatting stress. What helps you to de-stress? Do you feel centered by exercise, connecting with people, taking deep breaths? Create a plan for how you will manage when you notice symptoms of stress. Diversify your plan to include in-the-moment de-stressors like short breaths to be followed up more time intensive activities like taking a walk.
MAKE A COMMITMENT TO YOURSELF
Tip: April is Stress Awareness Month. Make a commitment to caring for you. Choose one thing to do for yourself this week--all it takes is 15 minutes: a walk outside, bubble bath, create some art, bake bread, get a pedicure. Be intentional to unplug, relax, be present.