Stress Management Part 1

Key wellness & stress-management strategies

• Understand the impact of stress

  • Significant stressors can affect both physical health (including the heart) and behavior.
  • Unmanaged stress can worsen physical and behavioral outcomes.

• Use controlled breathing

  • Controlled breathing supports the body’s relaxation response and helps manage stress more effectively.

• Address stress-driving thought patterns

  • Stress can be caused or intensified by unhealthy thinking.
  • Cognitive/behavioral approaches (e.g., strategies from CBT/behavioral therapists) can help replace negative thinking patterns.

• Try evidence-informed self-care activities

  • Find things to laugh about (lighten mood to reduce stress impact).
  • Journaling (express thoughts, reflect, and reduce mental load).
  • Pursue hobbies (engage in enjoyable, restorative activities).
  • Make stress management social by doing it with friends or family.

• Build stress management into a daily routine

  • Stress management doesn’t need to be long—a few minutes a day can help.
  • Choose activities you genuinely enjoy.
  • Practicing daily helps you handle difficult stressors when they arise.

Presenters / sources

• Dr. Timothy Ryan (Psychologist), OhioHealth Cardiac Rehab Program Psychology Team