Issue link: http://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/772695
IF YOUR BUSY SCHEDULE LEAVES YOU FEELING OVERWORKED AND UNDERVALUED, TUNE IN TO THESE COPING TECHNIQUES. STRESS CAN MAKE US FEEL OUT OF SYNC. LEARN A COPING TECHNIQUE THAT YOU CAN TAKE WITH YOU TO WORK OR APPLY AT HOME. ENROLL IN OUR LIVING MINDFULLY PROGRAM. SMOOTH SAILING THROUGH STRESSFUL WATERS ADULTS OFTEN PUT in long hours at their jobs and come home to additional responsibilities, such as caring for one or more generations of family members, says Amy Segerstrom, MS, LPC, Coordinator of The Healing Place, HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital. This can be stressful. Chronic stress, when ignored, can lead to health consequences. "Stress can be good or bad, depending on how it affects our motivations and health," Segerstrom says. "Many of us may not make this distinction, but ignoring stressors can be unhealthy, both mentally and physically." FIND YOUR BEARINGS If you're feeling overwhelmed, look for these common stress signals: ✳ insomnia ✳ headaches ✳ low energy ✳ appetite changes ✳ irritability ✳ muscle aches If these symptoms occur regularly, cope in healthy ways. Positive coping techniques could include: 1. Recharging. Instead of eating or drinking away stress, exercise your body and mind. Go for a short walk, chat with a neighbor, or make time to meditate or stretch for five to 10 minutes during your workday. 2. Requesting help. Is most of your stress work-related? Find a mentor and seek wisdom, or determine a solution and then talk about it with your coworkers or supervisor. For obstacles at home, call in family reinforcements to share responsibilities. 3. Unwinding. Sign up for exercise or art classes. Engage a counselor. Make self-care a priority. Register for free meditation classes or short-term grief counseling at The Healing Place. Call 715.717.6028. Take part in these free classes. Call 715.717.6028 or visit sacredhearteauclaire.org for more information or for schedules. Relax and Refine Your State of Mind "STRESS CAN CAUSE discomfort and leave you feeling out of control," says Amy Segerstrom, MS, LPC, Coordinator of The Healing Place at HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital. "By practicing mindfulness, you can ease back to a calmer mind- set and remember to breathe again." Segerstrom recommends focusing on breathing to create a gap between your thoughts and your reality as a way to take back control. Does this sound intriguing? You can gain a fundamental sense of what mindfulness is and how to practice it through the Living Mindfully program, a free 12-week course open to the public at The Healing Place. DE-STRESS WITH US "The first few sessions provide an introduction to key anchor techniques, such as deep, purposeful breath work and toe-to-head body scans to search for sensation through stillness," Segerstrom says. "We also instruct participants about ways to examine their relationships with themselves and others to foster the development of kinder, gentler souls." This program includes prayer education, as well. For those who want to experience guided meditation in a group setting, Segerstrom also recommends attending a Heart and Soul Meditation class. 3 S A C R E D H E A R T E A U C L A I R E . O R G