We’re living in challenging times that can cause us all to be a little stressed out. The good news is that there are simple steps you can take toward reducing your stress and improving your overall mental health:

• Exercise regularly. Go for a bike ride, take a morning walk or use your SilverSneakers^® fitness benefits at the gym or online. Studies have shown that exercise of any type can reduce your stress and improve your mood.
• Learn something new. Shifting your mindset away from the things that stress you to something completely different is very helpful. Learn to paint, play the violin, learn a language, take up photography — expand your mind and decrease your stress.
• Increase mindfulness. Becoming aware of the things that trigger your stress is very important. Mindfulness or meditation helps you focus on your breathing to calm yourself down.
• Unplug for a little while. Turn off the distractions that make you stressed. That could mean shutting off the TV or disconnecting from your phone or laptop. Go for a walk. Exercise. Read a book.
• Stay connected. Become active within your community, volunteer if you can and keep up your relationships with family and friends, even if it’s by phone. This will give you a sense of purpose and a feeling of belonging, which can reduce anxiety and stress.
• Eat well. A balanced diet is so important to overall health, including mental health. Eat nutritional foods and avoid things like sugar and too much caffeine, which can impact your sleep and your mood.
• Have a laugh. You’ve heard laughter is the best medicine, and that certainly appears to be true when it comes to reducing stress. Watch a funny movie or lighthearted videos if you’re feeling stressed. Or, even better, have a laugh with a friend!