2021 Has been filled with reasons to stress out. Just turn on the news for 10 minutes and you will have at least a dozen potential culprits. Friends and family at odds with each other over politics and world events and social media stirring the pot on a daily basis.

We thought it might be nice to share some coping skills we use and suggest to our patients. The ability to remain calm and centered can help eliminate feelings of anxiety and depression and keep your blood pressure in a healthy range.

Our top stress-free day suggestions

Take Time to Stop and breathe. Take a minute, sit down, breathe into the count of 4 and out to the count of 4 through your nose. Close your eyes and repeat 4 times. This is so simple it sounds silly, but the fact is when you rush around and have elevated anxiety levels you aren’t breathing deeply.

Make a list of what you must accomplish for the day or the week. The act of making a list gets your mind organized and ready to complete tasks. As you finish off a task make sure to mark it off your list. The more you get crossed off the better you will feel. And on that last mark off, give yourself a well-deserved pat on the back. This can also help eliminate the feeling that you are forgetting something, which can be alarming in and of itself.

Adopt an attitude of gratitude – It’s far too easy to get annoyed at traffic, in the grocery stores, or at clients you are dealing with. Step back and make a list of things you are thankful for in your life – Your loved ones, your family, your home, anything that brings joy. The more you focus on the positive, the more positive tends to come your way.

Give – of your time, of yourself and if you have it be generous with friends, family, or donations. Giving is energy exchange. It makes you feel good, and it helps others.

Never overextend yourself – It is ok to say “No”. This is the #1 reason people are stressed is that they often fear missing out. They fear if they don’t attend something that they are invited to either they will miss something important or they might not get invited again. This simply isn’t the case. If you want to go, fantastic. If you don’t? Why are you? It is ok to say no, just be gracious about it.

Treat yourself – Get a massage, get your nails done, read a book you have been wanting to read do something that makes you happy and feel good.

Turn off the news – Do a media cleanse. Walk away from the TV set and put down social media for a day or two. You may just be surprised at just how much better you feel.

Just because the world has gone a bit mad for the time being doesn’t mean that it needs to upset your inner peace or your world. This Pandemic cannot last forever and, in the meantime, focus inward and make the best of it. Monitor your blood pressure weekly and if you get a high reading just make note of it. One single reading does not mean you have high blood pressure.

If you get several high readings, please do consult your cardiologist or family doctor.

www.TampaCardio.com

813-975-2800