Stress Relief Challenge | YMCA of Greater Waukesha County
YMCA of Greater Waukesha County - Changing Lives for the Better
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YMCA of Greater Waukesha County

Association Offices

3610 Michelle Witmer Memorial Drive, Suite 100
New Berlin, WI 53151

Tri County YMCA

N84 W17501 Menomonee Avenue
Menomonee Falls, WI 53051

Mukwonago YMCA

245 E. Wolf Run
Mukwonago, WI 53149

Waukesha YMCA

320 E. Broadway
Waukesha, WI 53186

New Berlin YMCA Wellness Center

3610 Michelle Witmer Memorial Drive
New Berlin, WI 53151

West Suburban YMCA

2420 N. 124th Street
Wauwatosa, WI 53226

Southwest YMCA

11311 W. Howard Avenue
Greenfield, WI 53228

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Association Offices

New Berlin YMCA Wellness Center


YGWC ASSOCIATION OFFICES

3610 Michelle Witmer Memorial Drive, Suite 100
New Berlin, WI  53151
262-330-5199

 

HOURS

MON-FRI | 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Tri County YMCA

Tri County YMCA


TRI COUNTY YMCA

N84 W17501 Menomonee Avenue
Menomonee Falls, WI  53051

 262-255-9622

 

HOURS

MON-FRI | 5:00 AM - 9:00 PM
SAT | 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM*
SUN | 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM*

*Closes at 4:00 PM Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.

Mukwonago YMCA

Mukwonago YMCA


MUKWONAGO YMCA

245 E. Wolf Run
Mukwonago, WI  53149

262-363-7950

 

HOURS 

MON-FRI | 5:00 AM - 9:00 PM
SAT | 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM*
SUN | 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM*

*Closes at 4:00 PM Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.

Waukesha YMCA

Waukesha YMCA


WAUKESHA YMCA

320 E. Broadway
Waukesha, WI  53186

 262-542-2557

 

HOURS 

MON-FRI | 5:00 AM - 9:00 PM
SAT | 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM*
SUN | 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM*

*Closes at 4:00 PM Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.

New Berlin YMCA Wellness Center

New Berlin YMCA Wellness Center


NEW BERLIN YMCA WELLNESS CENTER

3610 Michelle Witmer Memorial Drive
New Berlin, WI  53151
262-330-5190

 

HOURS 

MON-FRI | 6:00 AM - 7:00 PM
SAT & SUN | 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM

West Suburban YMCA

West Suburban YMCA


WEST SUBURBAN YMCA

2420 N. 124th Street
Wauwatosa, WI  53226

 414-302-9622

 

HOURS

MON-FRI | 5:00 AM - 9:00 PM
SAT | 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM*
SUN | 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM*

*Closes at 4:00 PM Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.

Southwest YMCA

Southwest YMCA


SOUTHWEST YMCA

11311 W. Howard Avenue
Greenfield, WI  53228

414-546-9622

 

HOURS

MON-FRI | 5:00 AM - 9:00 PM
SAT | 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM*
SUN | 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM*

*Closes at 4:00 PM Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.

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Camp Double Eagle

W365 S8661 Highway 67
Eagle, WI 53119

Y Children's Academy

100 E. Broadway
Waukesha, WI 53186

Join the Y

Y MEMBERSHIP HAS VALUE

A YMCA membership gives you more than just a place to work out, it gives you a community! Schedule a tour at one of our locations and meet our staff.

View More Benefits 

Child Care & Camps

 Kids with ball

YOUR CHILD AT THE Y

The Y has programs for children of all ages. From infant and toddler care at our Y Academy, to Preschool and 4K programs, to Before & After School care for elementary and middle school students, the Y can help your busy family find programs and care that's right for you.

 Sun

Summer Day Camps

For your child's best summer ever,
enroll them in camp at the YMCA!

Healthy Living at the Y

STRESS RELIEF

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Stress Relief Challenge | April 10-30
YMCA OF GREATER WAUKESHA COUNTY

FOCUS ON TODAY

Thursday, April 9, 2020

Stress Relief Tips


We all have stress. But what stresses us out, the things we do when we’re stressed, and what makes us feel better are different for everyone. For National Stress Awareness Month, we encourage you to do something every day to help relieve your stress.  

Which is why we've put together a Stress Relief Challenge for April 10-30. To join the challenge, open our Y app and click on the Challenges tile. Click on the Stress Relief Challenge and scroll down to select Join the Challenge.

Then, try one of our suggested stress relief strategies below and log it as a workout in the app. Repeat the same technique each day to form a healthy habit or change it up to find what works best for you. To get you started, take a deep breath with the help of these free resources from Calm.com.

Each technique also counts as a “Stay Safe” activity for our Member Rewards program! Visit gwcymca.perkville.com/staysafe to claim +25 rewards points each day.

Join Member Rewards

1. DOWNLOAD OUR APP 

Search for “YMCA of Greater Waukesha” in Google Play or iTunes stores and download our app.

2. JOIN THE CHALLENGE 

Open the YGWC app on your device. Click on the Challenges tile and select the Stress Relief Challenge.

3. TRACK YOUR PROGRESS

Click the Workouts tile, then click the + icon at the top of the screen to manually add an activity.

4. ADD THE DETAILS 

Select your workout/stress relief technique from the dropdown.

Distance = 0 or more miles
Duration = 5 or more minutes
Calories = 1 or more

Click the check mark at the top of the screen and relax!

Some restrictions may apply. Only one workout per day, April 10-30, will be tracked in the challenge. Participants must be enrolled in YGWC Member Rewards program in order to claim “Stay Safe” points. Maximum of 25 “Stay Safe” points per day. You do not have to enroll in the app challenge in order to be eligible for “Stay Safe” points.

Stress Relief Strategies


 

  • Set a Sleep Routine

Set a “wind down time” reminder alarm. Consider both the hours of sleep you will need and your wind down time when deciding what time to set your nighttime alarm. Create an evening ritual such as turning off screens, taking a shower or reading. 

  • Spend Time in Nature

Garden, take a walk or hike, or just spend time sitting outdoors. Insert nature in your life even in times when you can’t go outside by keeping a plant in your home. Look at pictures of nature or use visualization for a quick nature escape.

  • Eat Stress Reducing Foods

Eating a diet rich in anti-inflammatory foods (green leafy veggies, fruits, and healthy fats) will help keep you mentally and physically healthy. Crunchy foods like carrot sticks or apples can help relieve nervous tension while staving off hunger and making convenience foods less tempting.

  • Focus on Communication

Listen with the intent to understand the message rather than only trying to formulate a response. Avoid being passive aggressive by keeping your communication honest, direct, and respectful.

  • Set Priorities

Allocate more time to the things that are truly important to you and add value to your life. Decrease time spent on distractions, interruptions, time wasters, and things that add little or no value to your life. 

  • Progressive Muscle Relaxation

Starting with the muscles of your face, inhale and tense your muscles for a few seconds. Then exhale as you release the muscles and relax for moments. Slowly repeat the sequence of inhaling/tensing followed by exhaling/releasing as you work your way down through your entire body. 

  • Practice Mindfulness

Check in on your thoughts throughout the day to see where you are spending your time: the future, the past, or the present. Take opportunities to refocus your attention on the here and now. 

  • Breathe

Rapid, shallow breathing (which only moves the chest) is a natural part of the stress reaction. By consciously slowing and deepening our breathing, we can help counteract the stress response. Focus on taking slow, deep breaths that fully expand your lungs and move your abdomen.

  • Declutter

A cluttered space can add to the feeling of things being chaotic. Do a deep clean, clean out your closet, or just tidy up something that’s been neglected. If the thought of it seems to daunting, set a time limit. Straighten up a space for 5 minutes whenever you can squeeze it in.

  • Meditate

Meditation can be done at any time and for any length of time. Take a quiet moment to close your eyes or gaze at an object. Notice your inhalation and exhalation like waves on shore. If other thoughts enter your mind, do not feel that you have to push them away. Notice them and understand they are just thoughts that you can let pass by without attention, like a scrolling newsfeed.

  • Move More

Physical activity causes a release of endorphins in our bodies and is a proven method to both relieve stress and boost mood. Even if you aren’t able to get a full workout in, activity matters. Just 5 minutes of aerobic activity has been shown to stimulate anti-anxiety effects. Go for a mini walk around the block to help reduce stress.

  • Make Something

Whether it’s a work of art, a bookcase, or a home cooked meal, take time to make something with your hands. Focusing on the task can help reduce stress and the sense of accomplishment will give you an added boost.

  • Take a Break

We all need a break. Maybe you need a break from social media, 5 minutes away from your desk, or to listen to your favorite song or podcast. What kind of break can you plan or take today?

  • Try Something Different

Beat stress by doing something different. If there’s something you’ve always wanted to do or learn, start taking actions towards it. Take up a new hobby or return to an old one. 

  • Natural Medicine

Try aromatherapy -- the smell of lavender can be calming. Some herbs also have stress relieving properties like the chamomile in chamomile tea.

  • Give Back & Connect

Practicing gratitude is a great way to feel better. Take time to say thank you or give a sincere compliment. Focus on connections by calling a friend or sending a card to a loved one.


 

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For a better us.®

The YMCA of Greater Waukesha County is a non-profit, tax-exempt charitable organization under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code. Donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law. Our tax ID number is 45-5119441.

 

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