Many people have a tendency to get overwhelmed and stressed. This stress occurs for a variety of reasons (circumstances, personality, pressure, etc.) Sometimes it can be almost impossible to get rid of stress. Fortunately, there are certain activities and choices that reduce stress and promote a healthier lifestyle. The following fifteen suggestions are great ways to reduce stress in your life.
Quick Ways To Reduce Stress And Anxiety:
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Let’s face it- we all get stressed out sometimes. I like to try to have a zenful approach to life but sometimes I get stressed out any. There are so many causes of stress, you can be upset about something someone said, have too many deadlines sneaking up on you, have too many kids yelling for your attention or fighting, getting ready for a big test, or maybe it is just that time of the month. No matter the cause, everyone needs to have some go-to methods to help relieve stress and anxiety before it builds up to a boiling point. Stress is certainly detrimental to your happiness and ultimately to your health as well. To discover true thriving and success in our lives, we must learn to limit and relieve stress.
1 – Meditation and Breathing Exercises
The simple act of inhaling and exhaling slowly and mindfully can have a powerful effect on your ability to restore calm and refocus your thoughts. Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. Close your eyes and pay attention to the comforting sensation of the air expanding and contracting your lungs. Try to make your exhale slightly longer than your inhale.
You may also want to try meditation or breathing exercises. These activities promote a healthier mind and increase a person’s emotional health. Yoga poses are a great meditative activity that can significantly combat stress.
2 – Do Something That You Love
Next, make time to do something you love. Too often, life is filled with responsibilities and work. These activities, while important, can increase stress. Those who make time for activities that make them happy have an easier time reducing their stress and coping with life’s challenges.
3 – Spend Time Outside
Spending time outside is another way to reduce stress. Lounge in the sun or breathe some fresh air. These activities will allow you to distress and acquire some much-needed vitamin D.
4 – Service
Service also allows people to decrease their stress. Even better, there are a variety of service opportunities.
- Volunteer at a soup kitchen.
- Visit a friend in need.
- Clean up the neighborhood.
Even the simplest acts of service can help people to forget about their stress and focus on others.
5 – Exercise
Furthermore, make time to exercise. A cardio workout is one of the best options to reduce stress. It eliminates harmful, stress-causing toxins in the body. As the Mayo Clinic points out, “Physical activity helps bump up the production of your brain’s feel-good neurotransmitters, called endorphins.” In addition, exercise can also be rejuvenating to the mind and body.
Maintain an active lifestyle. You can cope with high stress levels by engaging in physical activity. Exercise is one of the best stress relievers; it gets your blood pumping, releases endorphins that promote a sense of wellbeing and helps you sleep better. Yoga is my favorite stress relief exercise but pick what works for you because everyone is different.
6 – Relax
Sometimes relaxation is the best cure for stress. It is important to take a break from time to time. Relaxation promotes balance and often allows people to gain perspective that can help to minimize stress. There are lots of ways to relax like taking a warm bath or reading a book you enjoy. A nice warm bath with some bath salts can be just what you need to relax and regroup. Sometimes a break is what you need to feel refreshed. Pick what works for you.
7 – Turn Off The Phone And Computer
Another stress reducing solution is to turn of the phone and computer. These two technologies, while beneficial, often result in added stress. On occasion, it is nice to pull the plug and find joy in the simpler things of life.
8 – Spend Time With Positive People
When stressed, it is particularly beneficial to spend time with positive people. Those who are negative can increase stress. Optimistic people help minimize the stress and are often more proactive at overcoming challenges that cause stress.
9 – Learn To Say No
In addition, everyone needs to learn to say no occasionally. Taking on too much can be exhausting and particularly stressful. It is completely ok to realize that you simply cannot do it all. Learn to say no and find joy and power in doing so.
10 – Stop Procrastinating
Next, stop procrastinating. Determine now to do things today instead of waiting until tomorrow. Procrastination leads to stress and also causes discouragement.
11- Laugh
Those who are stressed also need to find time to laugh. Sometimes laughter truly is the best medicine. It can provide a temporary escape from stressful situations. Even better, it allows people to find joy in the simpler aspects of life. If you can’t laugh, start with a smile.
12 – Think Positively
Positive thinking is another way to reduce stress. A can-do attitude enables people to overcome even the biggest stresses. Negativity only hinders progress and makes life even more stressful.
13 – Listen To Uplifting Music
Listening to uplifting music is another activity that can reduce stress. This uplifting music can be found anywhere – at home, online, or in the car. Good music can help you develop a happy tune that will anchor you during life’s challenges.
Music therapy has been shown to decrease stress and promote a healthier lifestyle. Add music to your daily activities when possible or build music breaks into your day. Getting up and dancing while you listen combines music with exercise, which will amplify the positive effects of this stress reduction technique.
14 – Stay Healthy
Furthermore, make sure to focus on healthy living. Go to the doctor regularly and make healthy decisions like eating well and staying hydrated. In particular, focus on developing a healthy mind that can enable you to overcome trials and handle the stress that comes your way.
15 – Forget About Yesterday
Finally, forget about what happened yesterday. Many people waste too much time, stress, and energy on the past. Remember that you cannot change the past; however, you can change tomorrow. This mentality allows you to minimize your stress, and it allows you to realign your priorities. Focus on the present and take one step at a time.
16 – Write in a journal.
Expressing yourself through writing puts you in touch with what you’re really feeling and helps you isolate and address problematic issues. You can even use your journal to vent frustrations privately instead of blowing up at someone else. You’d be surprised how much better you’ll feel just by getting it all out—and there’s no one to apologize to afterward! I do this all the time. I always feel better after I get out what’s bugging me and often times I don’t even know how I am feeling until I write it all out.
17 – Pour yourself a soothing cup of tea.
Try herbal teas for stress and anxiety. While tea itself is full of antioxidants that can help boost your immune system and battle stress, creating a simple ritual around its preparation will also signal your body that it’s time to relax. Use a special cup and utensils reserved only for that purpose or enjoy your tea in a special quiet spot. A cup of Chamomile tea may be especially calming and relaxing. I love herbal tea for stress soothing.
18 – Inhale a soothing scent.
Aromatherapy has been used to reduce stress and enhance contentment for centuries. Studies show that breathing in certain scents, such as lavender, can reduce levels of cortisol, the so-called “stress hormone.”
19 – Accept that nothing is perfect.
Obsessively pursuing perfectionism is an enormous energy drain that sends stress levels skyrocketing. It’s a difficult habit to break, so start slowly. Choose one project each week that can either be scaled back or skipped altogether. It’ll do a lot to relieve stress. You’ll find that you have more energy for the things that really can’t be skimped on and you’ll be more satisfied with your results.
20 – Get out into nature.
A hike in the woods, a picnic in a park, or even just escaping onto you deck for a few minutes of fresh air and sunshine can help restore your inner peace.
Conclusion
The list of stress-relieving activities is endless, but the most important thing is to stop and think about what is causing the stress and try to address it. Sometimes a natural stress reliever can help me calm down enough to think more logically. I find that when my emotions are slipping away and I feel overwhelmed, it is really helpful to me to take a RESCUE Pastille (my affiliate Amazon link) or other natural stress relief supplement.
Everyone has stress. It comes in all shapes and sizes- even parenting stress. Fortunately, stress can be reduced with the right activities and choices. Those who learn effective tools to reduce stress are often healthier and happier. I hope you these techniques help you in reducing your stress now. What are your favorite tips to help relieve stress? Which stress relief tips do you already use and which tips do you think you might want to try?
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