Stressful day at work? There’s an easy way to wind down.
Walking in nature is among the best ways to wind down and reconnect after a brain-frying day, according to Dr Aaron Michelfelder, MD, from Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine.
“Our stress hormones rise all day long in our bloodstream and taking even a few moments while walking to reconnect with our inner thoughts and to check in with our body will lower those damaging stress hormones,” he said.
There’s also a blood cell bonus.
“When we walk in a forest or park, our levels of white blood cells increase and it also lowers our pulse rate, blood pressure and level of the stress hormone cortisol,” Michelfelder said.
His other switch-off tips:
- Walking with family or friends
- Reading or writing
- Meditating, yoga, breathing exercises or reflecting
SEE VIDEO: How to prevent stress in the workplace>>
