Five Ways to Reduce Your Stress This Spring
Published: April 7, 2025
We all handle stress in different ways. Some people talk with a trusted friend, while others prefer exercising to burn off stress. But if you’ve ever turned to betting to cope, you might be making your stress feel worse.
While betting can provide a temporary mood boost, using it as an escape can create a cycle of chasing the feeling of relief — leading to even more betting and potential financial loss. Research shows nearly 50 percent of people with gambling disorders lose sleep due to stress or worry about gambling, only compounding the problem.
The good news? Stress management strategies can help you take care of your overall well-being. Here are a few steps to reduce stress this Stress Awareness Month and beyond.
- Enjoy a Hobby: Immersing yourself in something you enjoy can take your mind off the stress of the day. Plus, creative outlets like journaling, painting, or playing music provide opportunities for reflection and self-expression, helping you process stress in a positive way.
- Do something active: Exercise isn’t just good for your body — experts say it can also help your nervous system practice working through stress. Exercise imitates the effects of stress, like triggering your fight or flight response, providing an opportunity for the body’s systems to work together to process its effects. From yoga to walks around the neighborhood, almost any form of exercise can help.
- Take a deep breath: Deep breathing is a great way to relax your sympathetic nervous system, which controls your fight or flight response to stressors. Best of all, you can do it anywhere! Simply breathe in for five seconds, hold for two, and release for five.
- Connect with others: Research shows that spending time with friends can boost your sense of belonging and happiness, and even lower risks of health problems like depression and high blood pressure. A quick call to a friend can make a big difference.
- Practice meditation: Mindfulness meditation can be a powerful way to practice deep breathing and focus your attention on the present moment. Studies show that meditating for just five to 15 minutes a day offers benefits. Meditation can take many forms — explore ideas from the Mayo Clinic to get started!
And if you or someone you know might be experiencing a gambling disorder, don’t hesitate to call the free and confidential Ohio Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-589-9966 or text 4HOPE to 741741. Trained and understanding specialists are ready to take your call 24/7. And now, the Ohio Gambling Telehealth Network offers virtual telehealth services at no cost.