General Stress Reduction
Want some basic tips on combating stress? Check out this Psychology Today article for Five Quick Tips to Reduce Stress and Stop Anxiety.
The UT Counseling and Mental Health Center’s Virtual Mindfulness and Stress Reduction Activities page is designed for students, but many of the tips on here could help stressed out staff just as easily!
Yoga and Exercise
Yoga has been proven to help with general stress reduction and anxiety moderation. See our Yoga for Anxiety video series for guided yoga aimed at lowering anxiety in the mind and body. Another great resource is the University Yoga club, which is open to students, faculty, and staff. They hold a free yoga and meditation practice every week. Check out their HornsLink page to find when the next practice is scheduled.
Want to incorporate exercise into your routine but unsure how to do it? These tips from the American Cancer Society’s prevention page will help you find ways that work for you.
Mindfulness and Meditation
Mindfulness is a state of active, open attention on the present. When you’re mindful, you observe your thoughts and feelings from a distance, without judging them good or bad. Instead of letting your life pass you by, mindfulness means living in the moment and awakening to experience.
Mindfulness is often easier to understand through experience than through explanation. Try this exercise to experience what it feels like to do a common activity mindfully. You just need 5 minutes and a few raisins. See also the below introduction video to mindfulness:
Video - An Intro to Mindfulness
The Wheel of Awareness
The Wheel of Awareness is a representation of all aspects of awareness and can be helpful when getting into mindfulness practices. Learn more about this resource here.
Meditation is also a great way to reduce your stress levels and increase mindfulness. See our Relaxation Tracks for simple and effective guided meditation practice. New to meditation? Here are some tips for beginners from Psychology Today.
Breathing
Did you know that the way you breathe can affect your stress level? Follow these instructions to practice diaphragmatic breathing, a way of breathing deeply to reduce anxiety.
Personal Energy Management
See this helpful video created by the EAP about Personal Energy Management.