Stress is any factor that disturbs a state of well-being. The consequences can be positive or negative. For example, the physical demands of exercise can result in increased strength and cardiovascular endurance. Conversely, the imminent deadline of a large project or an exam can lead to undesired outcomes, like headaches, changes in appetite, or issues with sleep.

The American Psychological Association reports that 42% of adults report that their sleep quality is fair or poor, 43% claim that stress has caused them to lie awake at nights, and 21% feel more stressed when they get less sleep. Stress may result in a vicious cycle by altering normal sleep patterns, resulting in even more stress.

Don’t Feel Powerless

Stress, in its various forms, is unavoidable. It is encountered on a daily basis and strikes without prejudice. Though we have little control over when stressors occur, we do have control over how we respond to them. There are a variety of ways you can reduce stress to remedy a lack of sleep.

ORA Horizon is dedicated to providing tools to help you reduce stress and maximize quality sleep. Over the next 5 days we will share tips to battle life’s stressors.

Read below for today’s tips.

Tips to Manage Stress: Day 1

1. Exercise

This can be anything from a light jog to a boxing class. You can exercise in the comfort of your own home, in a park, or at a gym. The key is to avoid exercising late in the evening, as this can also lead to restlessness.

If evening sessions work best, opt for more relaxing activity like tai chi or yoga. It is also important to realize that some exercise is better than none at all. If time is an issue, try to get 30 minutes in by squeezing in 2 or 3 shorter sessions.

Additionally, you can increase your activity level by parking farther away from the entrance, opting for stairs rather than elevators, or standing to take calls.

Add exercise to your daily schedule to help reduce your stress and start resting better!