6 VITALITY Winter 2026 CMH Behavioral Health Provider Directory Feeling frazzled? Try these stress-busters Good mental health helps you live and feel your best. But too much stress can put your emotional well-being at risk. Consider taking steps like these to reduce and manage your stress. Calm your mind. You might try closing your eyes and taking a few deep breaths while focusing only on the present moment. Or how about progressive muscle relaxation? It involves tensing and then relaxing different muscle groups for 10 seconds at a time. Make time each day for things you enjoy. Maybe that’s a hobby or a leisure activity like reading a book. Get enough shut-eye. Too little sleep can worsen stress. Engage your senses. Did you know you can use your senses to soothe stress? You might: ● Listen to your favorite song. ● Savor a piece of chocolate. ● Touch the leaves of a plant. ● Take a walk in nature. Manage workplace stress. Most jobs are stressful sometimes. Along with setting healthy work-life boundaries, some things that may help reduce work stress include: ● Prioritizing your tasks. What must be completed today? What can wait? ● Checking in with your supervisor or co-workers. Asking for help isn’t complaining. In fact, it can make you more productive. Tackle big projects in small steps. Often, this makes work more manageable. Take a play break—you’re never too old. Play with a pet, share a laugh with a co-worker or toss a football around with a friend. The endorphins your body makes during these upbeat moments can help relieve stress. Talk to someone you trust. They may not have the answers, but it helps to be heard. Sources: American Heart Association; American Psychological Association; HelpGuide Need to see a behavioral health specialist for yourself or your child, but don’t know where to start? Ask your primary care provider for a referral, or search CMH’s Behavioral Health Provider Directory at cmhbolivar.info/ BHDirectory. CMH’s behavioral health team includes psychiatrists, psychologists, counselors and licensed clinical social workers. You can search for providers based on: ● Location. ● Age range treated. ● Specific services they provide. For more information about behavioral health services at CMH, go to cmhbolivar.info/BehavioralHealth. Check in with your doctor too If your stress feels overwhelming, talk to your doctor. They can offer more advice to help you manage stress.
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