De-stress with your Healthcare FSA

It can be hard to get through the weekday when various events are causing stress in your life. Whether you’re having difficulties with projects at work or worried about your child’s performance at school, stress has become commonplace. While some stress is healthy or at least harmless, major traumatic changes or continuous stress over the same matter can cause long term health problems.

Luckily, your Healthcare FSA could help you de-stress, so you can go on with your day.

Warning signs or symptoms that signal you might be close to a stress overload are placed into 4 different categories:

Cognitive Symptoms: inability to concentrate, memory problems, constant worrying, anxiety, persistent negativity, poor judgment
Emotional Symptoms: Irritability, inability to relax, feeling overwhelmed or isolated, depression
Physical Symptoms: aches and pains, nausea, diarrhea constipation, chest pain, loss of sex drive, frequent colds
Behavioral Symptoms: change in appetite and sleep, procrastinating or neglecting responsibilities, nervous habits, isolating yourself from others

In addition to these undesirable symptoms, some long-term health effects of chronic stress include:

Pain of any kind
Heart disease
Depression
Autoimmune diseases
Digestive, sleep, and weight problems
Skin conditions like eczema

How Can You De-stress with your Healthcare FSA help?

Give back: Volunteer your time or expertise to feel good about helping someone else. Help out at a bake sale or spend the weekend working at a community garden. Don’t forget to put on sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun if you’ll be outside for an extended period of time.
Relieve tension: Do some yoga, meditation, or stretching and breathing exercises to loosen up your body. Additionally use one of our hot and cold packs to relieve soreness in your back, shoulders, and neck area.
Sleep: Getting even 30 minutes of shut eye can help you relax and put your troubles in perspective. Having trouble falling asleep? Perhaps one of these sleep aids will help you get the rest you need.
Go on a hike or to the park: Seeing nature has psychological benefits - it can calm the brain and better your mood and concentration.
Be prepared for your adventures. Depending on what outdoor activity you choose, you’ll want to have an Adventure Medical first aid kit ready just in case.
Get your blood pumping: Slip on your sneakers and hit the gym or take a spin class. Make sure you’re fully equipped with back supports, sunscreen, and anything else you need to exercise properly! Track your blood pressure through QardioArm.
Organize your living space: If your house is a mess, you might feel like a mess too. Take an afternoon to tidy things up.