13 Ways To Reduce Stress: Starting Today
Is there any individual who doesn’t feel stressed these days? No.
Every one of us faces stress almost every single day. Our daily lives are surfaced with stress regarding emotions, people, and things. Sensitive human beings tend to feel things more deeply, and at times this sensitivity starts bothering them when excessive worries mound to form stress. Whether it’s stress regarding your work, college, peers, relationships, family, social stigma or any personal problem, etc. but all kinds of stress have the same negative effects on the mind of a person.
Such negativity often leads to anxiety attacks, when one starts worrying increasingly on trivial affairs. It disrupts the sleeping patterns and keeps your mind constantly bothered and tensed. In addition, taking way too much stress affects the mood; hence, it always keeps you in a bad temper. To avoid suffering from all this, given below is a short account of 13 ways to reduce your stress levels. These ways are quick for stress-relieving and can be easily performed anytime, anywhere.
1) Take Deep Breaths
This is the easiest way to lower down stress levels. Focus on taking deep breaths by inhaling air from your nose. Hold this air in your stomach for around 3-4 seconds and then exhale from your mouth slowly. Repeat this activity 10 times, and you will notice a significant improvement in your body activity. It will make you feel refreshed by oxygenating your brain and slowing down your sympathetic nervous system.
2) Talk to Yourself
If you’re a person who gets stressed by being over-burdened from work, then trust me, you need to develop the habit of talking to yourself. According to a study, talking to oneself greatly helps in management and reducing anxiety.
As you wake up in the morning, make a list of all the tasks you need to get done with. Keeping a planner will come in handy. Start by crossing out all the tasks as you complete them. By the end of the day, seeing yourself achieve your daily goals will leave you with a sense of utter satisfaction.
3) Aromatic Therapy
Scents play a major role in reducing cortisol levels of the body. Scenting your workplace, study, office or room with aromas of lavender, peppermint or scented candles will significantly lower down stress levels- thus keeping you refreshed and calmed down.
4) Laughter is the Best Medicine
A good laugh stimulates the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good hormones. Laughing for a good 10 or 15 minutes will have a very positive effect by diverting your mind from thinking about your problems. It is therefore suggested to keep yourself in the company of humorous friends and colleagues who will constantly keep you laughing. So the next time you’re stressed, make sure to YouTube some funny videos and laugh your stress away.
5) Music or Singing
A great majority of our population, especially teenagers prefer listening to music when they feel to take a break from life. Listening to your favorite song can put you in a good mood by triggering the release of biochemical stress reducers. If you’re not in the mood to listen to a song, then why not singing one yourself? Singing helps to naturally exhale and inhale air, which is similar to deep breaths.
6) Participate in Artwork
In case you’re having a panic attack from anxiety, it is highly recommendable to put that brain to some good use. Try brainstorming for creative ideas and get going on an art project. It can be anything from DIY projects to painting or coloring. Because art and crafts are very good stress relievers, it will be an instant get-away from your worries and troubles.
7) Exercise
Physical activities have proven to be considerably useful in reducing stress. It is because exercise releases endorphins that put you in a happy and cheerful mood. Start by practicing a 10-minute workout with light running, jumping, etc. In addition to this, you can also practice relaxing your muscles. All the way starting from the fingers down to the toes, tense and then relax each muscle group in your body.
8) Yoga and Meditation
Combining light exercise with controlled breathing rates have shown to inactivate your sympathetic nervous system due to physical and psychological stimulation. Practicing 20 minutes of yoga and 10 minutes of light meditation lowers blood pressure and cortisol.
If you’re finding it hard to practice yoga, then simply go for a walk. Enjoy looking around you as nature will amaze you and bring you in a different frame of mind.
9) Hugs and Cuddles
A good hug from the right person can act as an instant stress reliever. Hugging or cuddling with someone stimulates your body to release oxytocin. Oxytocin alleviates stress by lifting up your mood. Spend time with your loved ones and talk to them about the problems bothering you. In this way, they can suggest solutions for your problem, and it will make you feel light and relaxed.
10) Guided Imagery
When you are way too stressed with no escape seen, then the best thing to do is simply close your eyes. Imagine yourself in your happy place, in the arms of nature, in a cozy armchair by the fire, or listening to the waves of the ocean. This will have the same effects as taking a short vacation. You can also reminisce all the good moments and memories shared with your loved ones. This will give you immediate strength to fight with your stress.
11) Avoid Using the Internet
An excess of social media like Facebook, Instagram or Twitter will only leave you feeling depressed when you see the perfect, happy and cheerful life of others. But don’t let this deceive you. Everyone lives a golden life on social media. This is why it’s advised to cut down the usage of your phone or laptop, and go out for a walk or talk to a friend instead. Sitting on the computer for hours leads to sleep problems, and time wastage. In other words, the internet is just another stress-inducing machine.
12) Take a Nap
The importance of having a good sleep can never be neglected. If you’re too flustered with life, take a short nap. It can do wonders for stress relieving by reducing levels of norepinephrine and cortisol in the body. Waking up from an undisturbed sleep will leave you energized to carry out tasks for the rest of the day.
13) Gratitude Journal
Whether you’re a writer or not, but this is something that every person must incorporate in their routine. Make a list or note of all the things you’re grateful for in life. Even count the smallest of blessings, for instance, having a brain to think with. This will help you realize that stress is nothing as compared to what you’ve been blessed with. It also makes you aware of the capabilities you have to cope with your problems.
Do away with stress!
Life is too short to worry and fret on little problems. Live each day as it’s your last. Try having fun in every small task you do. Do good and help others because it will leave you with irreplaceable happiness. Believe in yourself because everyone faces stress each day.
But is it time you fight with your stress? Yes.
