[{"id":7238,"date":"2026-08-11T05:29:00","date_gmt":"2026-08-11T05:29:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/?p=7238"},"modified":"2026-07-30T23:34:34","modified_gmt":"2026-07-30T23:34:34","slug":"5-tips-for-managing-stress-so-you-can-live-your-best-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/2026\/08\/11\/5-tips-for-managing-stress-so-you-can-live-your-best-life\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Tips for Managing Stress So You Can Live Your Best Life"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Stress is nothing short of an epidemic. Understanding what it is and how it affects the body and mind can offer powerful insights into how to cope better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s nothing short of an epidemic. Understanding what stress is and how it affects the body and mind can offer powerful insights into how to cope better.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As an internal medicine doctor and assistant clinical professor in the department of medicine at Stanford University, Maria Juarez-Reyes, MD, PhD<\/a>, sees a steady stream of stressed-out patients in her office. \u201cThey present in two ways: Patients come in and tell me, \u2018I\u2019m so stressed! I\u2019ve got a LOT on my plate.\u2019 They realize how stressed they are. The second type of patient comes in not recognizing they are suffering from stress, but they feel the symptoms. They come in complaining of headaches or shortness of breath, although they\u2019re 25-year-old, healthy exercisers,\u201d she tells DailyOM. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Inflation. The pandemic. Social media overload. We are living in teeth-grinding times. Indeed, a 2022 Harris Poll<\/a> for the American Psychological Association (APA), appropriately named \u201cStress in America 2022,\u201d describes what we\u2019re facing as an epidemic. One-third of adults polled reported that stress is \u201ccompletely overwhelming\u201d most days. Seventy-six percent said they have experienced health impacts from stress in the past month including headache, fatigue, and anxiety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And the U.S. has lots of company: The international Gallup Global Emotions 2022<\/a> survey polled adults in 122 countries and areas, and found stress and worry at the highest level in the history of Gallup\u2019s tracking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interested in learning more? Check out <\/strong>Heal Emotions Before They Affect Your Body<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is Stress?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You know it when you feel it: Your stomach is flipping, your temples are throbbing, you\u2019re studying the ceiling paint at 3 a.m. But what exactly is stress? Understanding the phenomenon can be the first step in coping with it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stress is your body and mind\u2019s way of mobilizing you to help you respond successfully to challenges in your environment, Jeanette M. Bennett, PhD<\/a>, an experimental health psychologist who studies the effects of stress on health at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, explains to DailyOM.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This stress response evolved to keep us safe and help us survive. When our cave-dwelling ancestors encountered a tiger, their bodies readied for action to meet the threat. Stress hormones such as cortisol and epinephrine ramp up to provide energy. Breathing quickens, the heart pumps harder, the immune system gears up to be ready to respond to injury. Once the tiger is vanquished and the threat is over, the body returns to a state of rest and restoration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Problem of Chronic Stress<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The problem arises when what was meant as an occasional emergency response becomes a day-to-day, chronic state instead. Modern life can feel like an endless stream of emergencies: buzzing phones, the dire news crawl, your checking account balance<\/a>. \u201cToday, our stressors often are not life-threatening. But it\u2019s still that same biological response,\u201d says Bennett. \u201cWe weren\u2019t designed to be stressed constantly. Biologically, it\u2019s a very energy-intensive state, and it\u2019s very hard on the body and mind to maintain.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A state of chronic stress takes a heavy toll on the body\u2019s systems. Research has linked chronic stress<\/a> to a host of physical and mental conditions from high blood pressure to weight gain to digestive problems. A 2022 study out of Yale University found that chronic stress<\/a> actually makes us age faster at the cellular level, speeding up our biological clocks and shortening our life spans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chronic stress also has profound consequences for our emotional health, says Juarez-Reyes. It can precipitate anxiety, panic attacks, insomnia, and depression. The APA Harris survey found that a fifth of adults said stress had caused them trouble concentrating, forgetfulness, or difficulty making decisions. \u201cYour thoughts can become a stressor even in the absence of an outside threat,\u201d says Juarez-Reyes. In other words, just thinking about your long to-do list can cause your heart to race and your stomach to churn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Compounding the problem: We may turn to unhealthy ways of coping, says Nisha Chellam, MD<\/a>, an internist and functional medicine doctor at Parsley Health in New York City, whom DailyOM spoke with for this story. \u201cYou may start seeking quick relief by eating more or drinking more or smoking more.\u201d These strategies may feel good in the moment, but can cause further damage to our physical and mental health, she explains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 Successful Strategies for Coping With Stress<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Escaping forever to a tropical hideaway with no Wi-Fi may sound like a tempting \u2014 if unrealistic \u2014 solution. The good news: While inflation, political strife, caregiving, and work deadlines may be here to stay, there is much you can do to boost your resilience in the face of stress. The same Yale study found that subjects who rated higher in measures of psychological resilience did not show the same damaging effects of chronic stress on the body. Here\u2019s expert advice for some important first steps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Take Inventory<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Press pause and take an honest look at your day-to-day life, advises Juarez-Reyes. \u201cIf you keep going 24\/7 at 120 miles an hour, you’re never going to get a handle on stress,\u201d she says. She recommends reflecting on how you are feeling physically and mentally and identifying the stressors that may be contributing (e.g., being on your phone constantly, skimping on sleep, taking on too many volunteer projects<\/a>). \u201cSome people don\u2019t want to take stock in this way as it increases their feelings of stress or anxiety,\u201d Juarez-Reyes says. \u201cBut recognizing your stressors is the first step to being able to do something about them.\u201d While you may not be able to eliminate your life\u2019s stressors entirely, reflecting on those aspects you can control and doing something about them can be very helpful. If you are caregiving for an ill loved one, for example, you could ask a friend to walk the dog for you or organize a meal train.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chellam adds that such reflection may involve taking a hard look at your priorities and then cutting back. \u201cYou may be thinking, \u2018I\u2019m doing these 100 things. I\u2019m so important!\u2019 We just take it as a part of modern life. But it\u2019s not sustainable. Ask yourself, if today was the last day of your life, how would you spend your time?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Lean on Others<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Being around people you trust can calm your body and mind, but unfortunately, loneliness is its own major public health crisis<\/a>. \u201cDuring the pandemic, rates of anxiety and depression went through the roof and isolation played a huge role. The data makes [it] clear: People who have social support cope better,\u201d says Juarez-Reyes. \u201cI tell patients, you don\u2019t have to talk to them about your problems. It can just be hanging out with your book club! But make spending time with family and friends a priority.\u201d Pets, too, can offer us social support<\/a>, decrease the stress hormone cortisol and help reduce loneliness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Try Mindfulness<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Mindfulness meditation<\/a> has been shown to offer a host of stress-busting benefits \u2014 from lowering blood pressure to easing anxiety. \u201cWith regular practice, you can become less reactive. You\u2019re able to sit back a bit, take a breath, and contemplate before you shoot back a reply to that distressing email,\u201d says Juarez-Reyes. Another effective go-to: breathwork<\/a>. \u201cSimply closing your eyes and inhaling and exhaling five deep breaths can have an immediate stress-relieving effect,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Practice Good Self-Care<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Stress saps your mental and physical resources, so good self-care can help you be more resilient. Chellam advises her patients to prioritize sufficient sleep<\/a>. \u201cLook at your evening routine. Turn off your phone, listen to relaxing music, take a bath, so your body knows it’s time to rest.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make regular exercise a priority<\/a>, too. That doesn\u2019t mean you have to have a full-out sweat session every day. \u201cWalking<\/a> can be great exercise. Many of my patients use a step counter. You can slowly increase your goal by 1,000 steps at a time.\u201d (Other exercises that are particularly restorative for body and mind include yoga<\/a> and tai chi, says Juarez-Reyes, and there\u2019s support for spending time in nature to reduce stress<\/a> as well.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A healthy diet can also help you combat the toll of stress. That can start with eating more mindfully<\/a>, advises Chellam. \u201cEat with a focused mind. I tell patients to chew their food down to a liquid before they swallow. Once you really connect with your food, you tend to want to eat more nutritiously.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Seek Help<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes, despite such efforts, we reach a state of complete overwhelm. (An alarming 27 percent of Harris\u2019s survey respondents reported that some days they are so stressed they can\u2019t function.) Seeking professional help<\/a> from your doctor or a therapist can be an empowering step toward coping better, advises the American Psychological Association.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

True, modern life is super stressful. \u201cBut humans are resilient. We are wired to adapt and grow even in difficult times,\u201d concludes Bennett. \u201cCoping better is a matter of knowing yourself and figuring out what works best for you to create a space of calm.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Stress is nothing short of an epidemic. Understanding what it is and how it affects the body and mind can offer powerful insights into how to cope better. It\u2019s nothing short of an epidemic. Understanding what stress is and how it affects the body and mind can offer powerful insights into how to cope better. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":640,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7238","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7238","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/640"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7238"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7238\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7240,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7238\/revisions\/7240"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7238"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7238"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7238"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":7191,"date":"2026-08-10T04:03:00","date_gmt":"2026-08-10T04:03:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/?p=7191"},"modified":"2026-07-21T16:03:58","modified_gmt":"2026-07-21T16:03:58","slug":"motivational-monday-169","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/2026\/08\/10\/motivational-monday-169\/","title":{"rendered":"Motivational Monday"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":640,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7191","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7191","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/640"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7191"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7191\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7193,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7191\/revisions\/7193"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7191"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7191"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7191"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":7188,"date":"2026-08-07T04:02:00","date_gmt":"2026-08-07T04:02:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/?p=7188"},"modified":"2026-07-21T16:03:23","modified_gmt":"2026-07-21T16:03:23","slug":"funny-friday-292","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/2026\/08\/07\/funny-friday-292\/","title":{"rendered":"Funny Friday"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":640,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7188","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7188","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/640"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7188"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7188\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7190,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7188\/revisions\/7190"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7188"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7188"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7188"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":7232,"date":"2026-08-06T05:39:00","date_gmt":"2026-08-06T05:39:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/?p=7232"},"modified":"2026-07-30T22:44:18","modified_gmt":"2026-07-30T22:44:18","slug":"science-museum-of-virginia-discount-for-state-employees","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/2026\/08\/06\/science-museum-of-virginia-discount-for-state-employees\/","title":{"rendered":"Science Museum of Virginia discount for state employees"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Department of Human Resource Management (DHRM) is pleased to announce that the Science Museum of Virginia has partnered with the Commonwealth to offer state employees the biggest discount offered to any group all year.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To recognize and thank you for your service to the Commonwealth, the Science Museum of Virginia is offering 30% off of Supernova (most popular) and Galaxy memberships for state employees. <\/strong>Learn more about what’s included in those memberships by clicking the link below. The discount is good for new memberships or renewals but must be done in person by showing your state employee ID at Guest Services August 1-31<\/strong>. Don\u2019t miss your chance to enjoy family fun time all year around. Check out their website here<\/a> or click on the link below for additional details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

State Employee Appreciation Offer <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Science Museum of Virginia<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Purchase Membership <\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Department of Human Resource Management (DHRM) is pleased to announce that the Science Museum of Virginia has partnered with the Commonwealth to offer state employees the biggest discount offered to any group all year. To recognize and thank you for your service to the Commonwealth, the Science Museum of Virginia is offering 30% off of Supernova […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":640,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7232","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7232","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/640"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7232"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7232\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7234,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7232\/revisions\/7234"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7232"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7232"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7232"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":7227,"date":"2026-08-05T06:30:00","date_gmt":"2026-08-05T06:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/?p=7227"},"modified":"2026-07-21T18:31:46","modified_gmt":"2026-07-21T18:31:46","slug":"make-hot-summer-nights-more-restful","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/2026\/08\/05\/make-hot-summer-nights-more-restful\/","title":{"rendered":"Make Hot Summer Nights More Restful"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Few habits have as much impact on your health as a good night’s sleep. It plays an important role in your mood, memory, immune function, and heart health. During stretches of hot weather, though, falling asleep\u2014and staying asleep\u2014can be more of a challenge, leaving you tossing and turning or searching for the cool side of the pillow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A cooler sleep environment and a few simple nighttime habits can help create the conditions for a more comfortable, restful night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This week,\u00a0keep your cool at bedtime.<\/a>\u00a0Lower the thermostat or turn on a fan, choose lightweight bedding, and avoid late-night meals or strenuous exercise close to bedtime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It turns out that struggle is biological. To fall asleep, your body needs to lower its core temperature by one or two degrees\u2013a biological signal it\u2019s time to rest. When your room is too warm, your body can\u2019t finish that job, making it harder for you to sleep. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And it\u2019s not just about feeling uncomfortable. Heat appears to be particularly disruptive to REM sleep<\/a>, the stage responsible for emotional processing, memory, and restoration. During REM, your body\u2019s ability to regulate its own temperature is largely switched off, leaving you at the mercy of the room around you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The good news is that your body\u2019s cooling system is something you can work with, not just wait on. And one strategy that may help might surprise you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A warm bath or shower taken one or two hours before bed may help  you sleep better. Not despite the heat, but because of it. While it seems counterintuitive, the warm water encourages your body to move heat toward the skin. When you step out, that heat is released, helping support the natural drop in body temperature that occurs before falling asleep. Research<\/a> suggests that people who bathe in warm water before bed fall asleep faster and report better sleep quality overall. That said, this works best when your bedroom environment is already reasonably cool. If your room is very warm, start with the environment tips below first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The warm bath is just one example of how small, intentional changes to your evening routine can work with your body\u2019s natural cooling process. Here are a few more to try.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cool Down Your Environment<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Blackout curtains do more than block morning light. They also keep heat from building up during the day, giving your bedroom a head start on cooling before bedtime. If you have air conditioning, aim for around 65-68 degrees<\/a>. If you don\u2019t, a fan positioned to pull warm air out of the room rather than just circulate it can make a real difference. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Choose Breathable Fabrics<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Your sheets and pajamas matter more than most people realize. Lightweight, breathable materials like cotton allow your body to release heat through your skin the way it needs to. If you sleep on a memory foam mattress, it\u2019s worth exploring a cooling mattress pad or breathable sheets designed for warm sleepers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consider Your Evening Routine<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Exercise raises your core temperature, which is great during the day and less helpful right before bed. Try to finish any vigorous activity at least a few hours before bed time. The same goes for meals\u2013eating too close to bedtime raises your metabolism and your temperature along with it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s worth noting that not all heat-related sleep struggles have the same root cause. Hormones, metabolism, anxiety, and certain medical conditions can all make you run warmer at night. If your sleep is consistently disrupted by heat and lifestyle changes don\u2019t seem to help, it\u2019s worth a conversation with your doctor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can\u2019t control the summer heat. But you can give your body what it needs to cool down. This week, pick one way to help your body cool down before bed. Try lowering your AC or turn the fan on. Draw the blackout curtains before you leave for work. Take a relaxing warm bath before bed. Your best summer sleep might be closer than you think.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Few habits have as much impact on your health as a good night’s sleep. It plays an important role in your mood, memory, immune function, and heart health. During stretches of hot weather, though, falling asleep\u2014and staying asleep\u2014can be more of a challenge, leaving you tossing and turning or searching for the cool side of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":640,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7227","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7227","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/640"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7227"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7227\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7229,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7227\/revisions\/7229"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7227"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7227"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7227"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":7224,"date":"2026-08-04T06:28:00","date_gmt":"2026-08-04T06:28:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/?p=7224"},"modified":"2026-07-21T18:29:47","modified_gmt":"2026-07-21T18:29:47","slug":"health-tips-the-movement-hiding-in-plain-sight","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/2026\/08\/04\/health-tips-the-movement-hiding-in-plain-sight\/","title":{"rendered":"Health tips: The movement hiding in plain sight"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Modern life has made everyday tasks easier than ever. We can answer the phone without getting up, order dinner with a few taps and take an elevator instead of the stairs. While convenience saves time, it has also quietly removed many of the small movements our bodies were designed to do throughout the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Those missed opportunities add up. The good news is that you don’t have to spend hours in the gym to benefit from moving more. Some of the healthiest movement happens during everyday life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n