Psychologist says breaks and social ties help manage stress

Health psychologist Claudia Traunmüller says regular breaks and supportive social contact can help people cope with stressful periods. She discussed ways to manage stress in the ORF Steiermark “Saturday Talk”, ORF reported.

Traunmüller said the body can handle exceptional strain when it has enough time to recover afterwards. Regular exercise can improve cardiovascular fitness and help the body process stress, she said, while nutritious food can provide useful fuel during demanding periods.

Breaks give the body time to recover, Traunmüller said. She also highlighted personal contact with people who make someone feel good as an often-underestimated way to support wellbeing and counter stress.

Worldwide data show that reported stress has risen significantly since the 1980s, ORF said.