Tips for Taking Stock of Stress and Stress-Busting Ways to Feel Better

Photo courtesy of Fredericksburg Fitness Studio

October is Emotional Wellness Month, making it a great time for people to take stock of their stress levels and make changes that will help them feel better and may improve their quality of life. Stress is one of the major issues that leads to illness, unhappiness, and a lack of energy.  

“Stress is often a silent source of unhappiness and problems in one’s life,” explains Jennifer Scherer, a registered dietitian nutritionist, medical exercise specialist, certified personal trainer, and owner of Fredericksburg Fitness Studio. “What many people don’t realize is that there are many things we can do to help combat it. You don’t have to allow stress to have so much control over your life.”

While short-term stress can be healthy and help keep us safe, long-term stress leads to problems. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), stress is how your body responds to challenges or demands. When people get stressed, their bodies release certain hormones that travel through the bloodstream and control how various parts of the body work.  

Long-term stress, according to the NIH, can be brought about by things such as school, work, money problems, daily pressures, difficult changes in one’s life, and traumatic events. Left unchecked, it can cause problems, including digestive issues, feeling sad or angry, getting sick more often, sleep difficulties, and headaches. Chronic stress also plays a role in such conditions as depression, anxiety, heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes.

Some people may feel that they have stress or pressure or are not as happy as they would like to be, but they may wonder if they are suffering from chronic stress. According to the Yale School of Medicine, some symptoms of chronic stress that people can take stock of include aches and pains, insomnia, a change in social behavior, low energy, unfocused thinking, changes in appetite, increased substance use, emotional withdrawal, and changes in emotional responses to others.

Whether someone suspects they have chronic stress that needs to be addressed or they have been evaluated by a mental health professional regarding it, some things can be done to help with stress-busting so that they can feel better. 

There are numerous ways to keep stress under control and improve emotional wellness, including:

Sleep. According to the NIH, getting enough sleep helps your brain work properly, improves problem-solving skills, helps people make decisions, and more. Not getting enough sleep increases stress levels, depression, lack of motivation, sadness, and more. People tend to feel better after getting a good night’s sleep.

Pilates offers a host of benefits, including increasing flexibility, mobility, lower back pain, muscle strength, and more. A study published in the journal Medicineconcludes that Pilates helps with depression and anxiety symptoms. 

Relax. Find something to do that helps with relaxation. Some people enjoy reading, while others opt for working on classic cars. Whatever it is, people need a healthy outlet for something they enjoy doing that will help them relax and unwind. Make more time to relax, even if it must be on a calendar and schedule.

Walk. According to a study published in the journal BMC Public Health, being physically active is associated with happiness. Whether simply taking a walk, doing some gardening, or engaging in leisure physical activity, it will help to reduce stress and increase emotional well-being. If the walk can be done in nature, there’s an added bonus. A study published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine concludes that taking a walk in nature has a positive effect on anxiety and depression for up to three months.

Just Breathe. According to the American Psychological Association, researchers reviewed over 200 studies on mindfulness and found that it was especially effective for reducing stress, anxiety, and depression. While it has been practiced for thousands of years, many health programs now incorporate it into patient treatment plans. Other activities that offer the same relaxing benefits include yoga, Tai Chi, Qigong, and breathing exercises.

“Most people don’t adopt all of these stress-busting activities and lifestyle choices, but you can choose a couple to focus on,” added Scherer. “Consider what you are willing to do, stick with it, and try it. Notice the difference that it brings to your emotional and physical health. The changes may be incredible!”

Fredericksburg Fitness Studio offers a reformer Pilates fitness training program, a fun and unique exercise method with many benefits. The reformer can be done sitting, standing, or lying down, which gives a great workout. The program helps with strength, flexibility, balance and coordination, core control, and more. To get more information about the reformer Pilates program, visit the site:

Fredericksburg Fitness Studio doesn’t offer memberships as other gyms do. They offer private customized fitness programs that are available by appointment. Many people who go to the studio are referrals from physical therapists and doctors. The wellness professionals at the studio communicate with the medical teams to keep them up to date on patient progress. To learn more about Fredericksburg Fitness Studio, visit the site: https://www.fburgfitness.com.

Photo courtesy of Fredericksburg Fitness Studio

Photo courtesy of Fredericksburg Fitness Studio