Healthy habits: 3 ways to reduce stress and boost your mood

When we think about habits, it’s often the bad ones that first come to mind. Too much junk food. Sitting all day. Smoking. You get the gist.

On the flip side, however, are healthy habits. Consider these as any type of behavior that benefits your health, including emotional wellness.

Acquiring new habits – especially the good ones – can be tough. But by following our pointers below, we can help you get on the path to enhanced emotional wellness.

First things first: What is emotional wellness, anyway?

Emotional wellness is the “ability to successfully handle life’s stresses and adapt to change and difficult times,” according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

While the occasional feeling of stress can be normal, says the NIH, long-term stress is a much bigger issue. “Stress can give you a rush of energy when it’s needed most. But if stress lasts a long time, a condition known as chronic stress, those ‘high-alert’ changes become harmful rather than helpful.”

How to reduce stress and enhance your emotional wellness

1. Eat well:
   Many of us know the risks – diabetes, obesity, etc. –  that can come with a poor diet. But did you know what you eat can affect your emotional wellness, too?
   
   What’s more, diet has an even bigger impact in this area in women than in men. According to a 2018 study, women need greater levels of nutrients to support their emotional well-being
   
   Let’s make it a healthy habit: Making the right dietary choices can impact your health just as much as making the wrong ones. In fact, a growing number of doctors are recommending food as medicine.
   
   Do you have a Blue Shield Trio or Tandem plan? If so, you can get access to healthier foods at reduced prices through the Healthy Savings®  program. 
    
2. Go alternative:
   If you’ve ever experienced chronic pain, chances are you may have considered acupuncture treatment. According to John Hopkins Medicine, emotional conditions such as anxiety and depression may benefit from acupuncture, too.
   
   Physical activity:
3. According to a study published by the American Journal of Psychiatry, incorporating just 2.5 hours of physical activity can boost feel-good endorphins and help ward off depression.

COVID-19 CDC Guidance as of 3/16/2020
To reduce the spread of COVID-19, the CDC recommends that all individuals avoid gyms, public events, and other social gatherings. We know it can be difficult to incorporate movement indoors, which is why we’re here to help. Wellvolution offers virtual coaching and other personalized strategies to improve your overall health. Learn more about Wellvolution below.

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