Feeling stressed due to work and everyday life is completely normal, and everyone can get overwhelmed from time to time. Anxiety and stress can take a toll on your physical and emotional health over time, however. For practical ways to deal with stress along with information on what to avoid, check out the do’s and don’ts below from the functional medicine experts at IMUA Orthopedics Sports & Health.

Do: 

Practice being mindful.

Make time for relaxing activities every day. Mindful exercises, which can be a form of self-healing and functional medicine, include yoga, meditation, walking, and stretching and can help you relax and ward off stress. Allowing your mind to unwind is one of the most effective ways to let go of anxiety and keep yourself grounded. 

Take breaks from screens.

Blue light from electronic screens such as laptops and smartphones causes your brain to register daylight, reducing your melatonin levels. Melatonin is the hormone in your brain that tells you when to sleep and wake up, and when these levels are low, you’re less likely to get adequate rest. A good night’s sleep is essential to reducing stress, so opt for reading a book or meditating instead of staring at a screen right before bed.

Don’t:

Take on too much.

Maybe you’re a people-pleaser or just a hard worker, but it’s easy for us to take on too much work or too many responsibilities without realizing it. If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed lately, take a look at what’s on your plate and figure out what you can remove. Don’t feel guilty if you have to give up some of your responsibilities; taking care of your emotional and physical health is important. 

Overeat due to stress.

It’s normal to want to bury your stress in a bowl full of your favorite comfort food, but overeating isn’t functional medicine and will often leave you feeling worse than you did to begin with. There’s nothing wrong with eating foods you love if you’re feeling down, but it shouldn’t be your go-to method for relieving stress. Instead, eat a nutritious, delicious meal and find another healthy outlet to unwind. 

Dealing with sports-related injuries or generalized bodily aches and pains can be frustrating and stressful.  If you’re dealing with pain of any kind, visit the functional medicine professionals at IMUA Orthopedics Sports & Health. They offer services including osteopathic manipulative treatment, sports medicine, orthopedic services, nutritional medicine, and more. Find relief and start your journey toward healing by making your appointment today. Call (808) 521-4682 or visit their website for more information.