Stress Awareness Month: LáLew’s Tried-and-True Tips for Relieving Stress
Did you know April is Stress Awareness Month?
It’s a moment to pause and reflect on the everyday experiences we all have - but don’t always share. School, work, friendships, family or simply keeping up with life’s pace can all quietly build up stress.
Stress is a natural response to the challenges we face. It’s not a weakness, but it can affect our emotional, mental and physical wellbeing. Feeling stressed isn’t uncommon, but recognizing the signs is important. Some symptoms of stress may be trouble focusing, anxiety, muscle tension and fatigue.
Once you notice these signs, you can begin to manage them. Here are a few tips the LaLew team has explored to help relieve stress:
The 5-4-3-2-1 Technique
Stephanie Jackson, LCSW-R, MS, shared a sensory-based activity in one of our team training sessions that helps ground you in the moment through sight, touch, hearing, smell, and taste. Not only does it settle spiraling thoughts, but it also supports emotional regulation and reduces anxiety.
The simple and subtle activity is as follows:
List 5 things you can see
Notice 4 things you can touch
Identify 3 things you can hear
Determine 2 things you can smell
Assess 1 thing you can taste
The best part? You can do this anywhere - before a big meeting or even in your car while running errands. It only takes a few minutes and demonstrates the power of being present.
Increasing Hydration Habits
Our team has also spoken with Joy and Dani, the mother-daughter team behind Evolve Wellness. One of their tips suggested prioritizing drinking at least 64 ounces of water each day. Since it’s easy to forget, here are a few tips they recommend:
Choose a fun water bottle
Add fruit, juice, or a preferred enhancement
Set intentional goals for drinking water at different times of the day
Each month, the LaLew team starts with a Wellness Moment. In March, we focused on a hydration reset. Team members were encouraged to track water intake, take intentional water breaks, and share goals in a group chat. Having accountability - even with small actions - makes it easier to build lasting habits.
Taking a Micro-Break
Sometimes the simplest practices are the most overlooked - like taking breaks. Constantly pushing through work and responsibilities can lead to burnout, fatigue and decreased productivity.
Stepping away for a few minutes can reset your mind and energy. Some ways to do this include:
Grab a snack
Go for a short walk
Take a few moments to breathe or stretch
This month, during our Wellness Moment, we’re encouraging the team to find 20 minutes of joy in the day. People are sharing posts that made them laugh on social media, giving coworkers a chance to enjoy the moment too.
Stress Awareness Month is a reminder that checking in with yourself isn’t selfish - it’s smart. Pause. Take breaks. Hydrate. Laugh. Notice your stress, and don’t hesitate to give yourself the care you deserve. Small, intentional moments of self-care add up to big impacts on your wellbeing.
Want more tips on how to relieve stress? Check out our wellness blog posts for more!