You can do it for yourself!
Stress is a major issue for a lot of people.
Did you know that around 74% of people say that in the last year, they’ve felt so stressed that they’ve been unable to cope? You may not be at that point quite yet, but it’s worth taking some steps to reduce your stress levels before you get there.
The good news is that there are ways you can cut back on feelings of stress each day, from the comfort of your own home. Here are some of the top tips.
1. Exercise is a top de-stressor.
I get it, when you feel overwhelmed, you might not be inclined to rush out to the gym for a sweat session. However, exercise is an amazing way to get endorphins – the feel-good hormones that encourage positive feelings – rushing through your body. It has actually been well studied and people who exercise regularly are less likely to suffer from anxiety than their counterparts.
When you exercise – even only a little – you reduce the amount of stress hormones in your body and replace them with handy endorphins, which help to boost your mood. With a ten-minute walk, a five-minute stretch break, you decide what will fit your lifestyle and space the best. The important thing is that you try at least one exercise for 5-10, but the more exercise the more the “feel good” flows- STOPPED HERE
Exercise can also improve sleep quality, which is often negatively affected by anxiety and stress. When you get enough sleep, you’re more capable of dealing with stressful feelings. Its back to the old expression, if you sleep on it, you will have a new perspective in the morning.
To get the most out of your exercise routine, find an activity you enjoy and mix it in with your schedule – even if it’s just a stretching session each night.
2. Get Out and Make Connections
Do you ever get the urge to isolate yourself when you’re stressed or nervous? You’re not alone. However, withdrawing from your social group for an extended period of time could make your stress worse. There is a time to take quiet contemplation into consideration. There is also a time to get out of your head and get engaged with a different energy that is not stressed or nervous. Being part of a group of people who will nurture and care for you will help to get you through tough times.
One study found that spending time with friends helps to release the natural stress reliever – oxytocin. There are professionals that call the socializing response the “tend and befriend” approach, rather than the “fight or flight” that you may be more familiar with.
If you can’t meet with someone face to face, find another way to connect. Call a friend or loved one who will take the time to listen. Join a friend on Zoom call, or just send someone a text if it helps. Perspective is a wonderful thing.
3. Find Things That Make You Laugh
Have you ever noticed that it’s difficult to keep focusing on the things that make you feel anxious or stressed when you’re laughing? Laughter is genuinely good for your health, both from a physical and a mental perspective. It helps to relieve tension in your muscles and decreases your stress response.
Over time, regular periods of laughter can improve your mood and help your immune system to work better. According to a study of people suffering from cancer, people who laughed most experienced more stress relief than those who just distracted themselves.
Read a funny book or talk to a friend who frequently makes you laugh. Even if you’re just giggling at something on TV, let it out. Find a great movie or a sitcom that you can just let your laughter take you away.
4. Practice Self-Care Activities
We could all benefit from investing more time and effort into ourselves. I always encourage people t be more selfish, which broken down means- Self – ish(more like)We live in a society where it’s increasingly common for people to prioritize working too much or barely getting any sleep. However, these are the kinds of things that increase your stress.
Sometimes, it’s important to look at your life and ask yourself what you need to feel better. That could mean taking the time that you need for yourself and saying “no” when others ask you for help. It’s is about being selfish – it’s about giving yourself the help you need first.
Good self-care could also mean changing your routine. Go to bed earlier or change your meal plans so that you’re eating healthier food.
Invest time and energy into things that make you feel good – even if it’s just having a long bath with Epsom salts and some relaxing essential oils.
5. Try Something New
Finally, sometimes all you need to get rid of stress is a new passion.
With that in mind, why not try something new? Take an art class with a pal and see whether being creative each day could help you to eliminate anxiety. There are plenty of studies that indicate that creative activities can reduce your anxiety levels, and even enhance brain health and resistance to future stressors.
If art isn’t your thing, try learning how to cook. Taking a class that teaches you how to create delicious and nutritious meals is an excellent way to get a new hobby going. When you’re cooking, you’ll be focused on what you’re doing in the kitchen, rather than spending all of your energy worrying about the things that bother you. Plus, learning how to cook could help you to eat healthier too!
Try one of these effective strategies the next time you’re feeling stressed. Get in the habit of using them regularly and you’ll find greater enjoyment in your daily life.
Stay well my friends, physically, mentally and spiritually,
Kathleen
