From minor challenges to major crises, stress is very much a part of our everyday life. While we are not always able to control the circumstances, we can try to control our responses to them.
When stress and anxiety become overwhelming, it can start to take a toll on your well-being. It’s important to learn and practice stress relief management to calm your mind and body.
We’ve pulled together a few tips and ideas for reducing stress below. Each person is different, so what works for others may not work for you. The good news is that most of these can be done right at home!
Exercise overall is a great stress reliever that can work in just minutes. Taking a brief walk can help by changing your scenery and frame of mind, plus gives you the benefits of exercise as well.
Not a fan of walking? Jogging, biking, or roller skating can have similar effects. Plus, they’re fun activities, so just do what you’re comfortable with!
Aromatherapy can provide stress relief by helping you feel more energized, relaxed, or present. Studies show that certain scents can alter brain wave activity and decrease stress hormones in the body.
There are tons of scents that have calming properties, several that you may already have at home. Try out lavender, jasmine, rose, chamomile, or any of these scents recommended by Healthline.
Time to light those candles, fire up your diffuser, or even apply some scented moisturizers!
Turn up the music and turn off your brain. Music has been shown to eliminate levels of cortisol which helps to ease stress in the process. Listen to something calming, with little to no words, such as jazz, piano, or classical music. Or, throw on your favorite playlist and sing as loud as you like!
Art therapy can work wonders for a stressful mind. Try painting, playing an instrument, dancing, knitting, or even grab a coloring book. By focusing your attention completely on something that takes a few hours or even a couple days, you can begin to de-stress and relax your thoughts. Plus, you will have a piece of art to be proud of, or even to laugh at, once you’ve finished.
Not sure where to start? Pinterest and YouTube have lots of free tutorials to choose from. Assess what art supplies you have, then start searching for something you can create with what you have.
Positive self-talk can help you develop a healthier outlook not only on yourself, but in life overall. Being compassionate and optimistic toward yourself can help you manage your emotions and stress levels.
According to Healthline, positive self-talk and a more optimistic outlook can have other health benefits, including:
Yoga combines many stress relievers, such as controlled breathing, light exercise, physical movement, and meditation. While just one session may benefit you tremendously, incorporating yoga consistently into your daily routine can have many long-term benefits, too!
Lots of studios and fitness influencers are offering free yoga classes online right now that you can try at home, so you can get started today.
Writing your thoughts down may be one of the most effective ways to combat stress-related symptoms, thanks to its meditative and reflective methods. Writing down things you’re grateful for can really help put things into perspective and help you realize what things or people make you happiest. Start out by making a list of everything and everyone you’re grateful for, even if it’s just simple things like your morning coffee or a sunny afternoon.
Have you ever felt anxious or stressed when laughing? Of course not! Laughing is good for your health and has been proven to help relieve stress, improve your immune system, and relax your muscles. Put on a funny television show or podcast, call someone that always cheers you up, play a silly game, or have a dance party then laugh it out.
Focusing on your breath is another way to manage your stress levels. Breathing techniques are proven to help your body and your brain in just a few minutes.
A few simple methods include:
Find a good technique that works for you, and stick to it. No matter where you are, these strategies can be used to help quickly calm you down.
A healthy snack can work wonders on a restless mind! It can help shift your mind to focus on other things, like the flavor of that delicious smoothie, while feeding your brain nutrients that help combat anxiety. Accompany your food with tea, such as chamomile or mint, as they are shown to be especially calming and naturally free of caffeine.
Too jittery to fall asleep? Make yourself a nice, warm cup of green tea! Green tea is said to have Theanine, an amino acid that helps to alleviate anxiety and stress, as well as fight depression.
When all else seems to fail, there’s one thing that we can all do: take a quick power nap! Naps give your mind a slight boost by helping reduce levels of cortisol and other stress-related hormones. Remember to keep your nap to just twenty minutes; long naps can lead to losing sleep at night.
These tips may seem very simple, but there is a reason they are used. You may feel silly at first, but take it one step at a time.
If your stress is overwhelming or causing you harm, consult your doctor and seek professional advice immediately.
Sources: Healthline, Greatist
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April 8th, 2020 at 2:00 pm