16 Apr Seven Fun Ways to Reduce Stress in Denver

Stress is something everyone has to deal with but being stressed out doesn’t automatically mean that something negative happened. Sometimes stress is connected to a positive event like a new job or a move. Even if a specific event is positive, it’s still important to understand how to release the chemicals in the body that stress creates.

Spending time in nature is one option. As cooler weather in Denver leaves, individuals can look forward to all the enjoyable things warmer weather brings. Getting outside and spending time in nature is great for so many reasons—a big one being that it can cause a decrease in one’s cortisol levels and an increase in a sense of calm.

With April being National Stress Awareness Month, let’s look at seven fun ways to reduce stress at home or in Denver break rooms.

Dancing: Have a dance party in the break room or living room. Listening to energizing music, moving and laughing boosts endorphins and releases stress.

Arts and Crafts: Turn on some music and get out the paints, markers, pencils and drawing paper and create something. Creating art has been found to decrease cortisol levels and be “relaxing, enjoyable, helpful for learning about new aspects of self, freeing from constraints, an evolving process of initial struggle to later resolution, and about flow/losing themselves in the work.”

Walking: Take a walk and listen to the sounds around you, a favorite song or a book on tape. If the sky has big fluffy clouds, take a short break from walking and see which shapes you can spy or use your phone to take a picture of something that starts with each letter of the alphabet…g for grass, s for sidewalk.

Declutter: Maybe it’s a kitchen drawer, a hall closet or part of the garage that is full of items no longer used. Set aside some time to go through everything and pull out items that you no longer need. When it’s appropriate donate those items to a local charity. Removing clutter not only creates more room in your physical space, but it also frees up space mentally.

Games: Play a game. It doesn’t matter which kind—a board game, a video game or a card game. Playing with coworkers in the break room can build camaraderie and give everyone a short break from worrying about their job. The goal is to have fun and release more of those endorphins.

Gratitude: Expressing gratitude is a great way to take a step back and see a situation from a different perspective. Write a thank you letter by hand to someone who has helped or done something that meals a lot to you. There is something special about receiving a handwritten letter.

Hobbies: Whether it’s a hobby you’ve always wanted to try or a book you’ve put off reading, now is a great time to start. Even 10 minutes spent focusing on a hobby or reading a good book will help decrease stress and increase relaxation.

Peak Refreshments would like to help decrease stress by providing break room refreshments including fresh food, snacks and beverages and coffee service to Denver businesses. Not only will easy access to refreshments keep employees on-site during their workday, but it will also help those employees stay focused on their responsibilities. For more information about our current services, please call us at (303) 209-0150.