Stressing about your career, money, or the general well-being of the country? You can forget all about that stuff and learn to love your life! Enjoy these 25 ways to relieve stress…
Stress is a natural part of life, but sometimes it can get ridiculous. Daily challenges to major crises can start to damage our health and well-being when unmanaged. Effective stress relievers are crucial to restoring balance and keeping good health. Remember, you might not want to do anything when stressing, but you need to try to take your mind off of the stressor (or stressors). The following items are effective and can be used in a variety of situations:
SEE ALSO: The ABCs Of A Healthy Life
1. Artwork
Tap into your creative side! Grab a pencil and paper and sketch something that comes to mind. Not much of an artist? Consider picking up an adult coloring book and color away!
2. Play With Your Pets (or Someone Else’s)
Believe it or not, pets actually have great health benefits. Playing fetch with a dog, petting a cat, or holding a bunny can all lower your stress levels and blood pressure!
3. Stop Beating Yourself Up
Do you constantly attack yourself mentally (or verbally)? Stop destroying your chances at happiness and peace. There is no reason to be so hard on yourself.
4. Journaling
Journaling is a great way to relieve stress. Writing down what you’re stressing about and how you’re feeling will help put those emotions in the past. We highly recommend this exercise.
5. Move A Little
Exercise is perfect for lowering stress, plus it’s been scientifically proven (1). Stress is impossible to eliminate, but exercise can help make stress more manageable. When your body feels better so does your mind.
6. Mindfulness
Staying stuck in the past or drowning in worry of the future demands way too much energy. Live right now. The future will come whether you’re worried about it or not, and the past is set in stone.
7. Dark Chocolate
Eating dark chocolate can help improve blood flow, decrease blood pressure, increase intelligence, and, you guessed it, reduce stress.
8. Guided Imagery
Guided Imagery is an easy and fun exercise to forget about the stress in your life. You will be able to achieve a deeply relaxed state and visualize a relaxing scene.
9. Autogenics
This is a relaxation technique that can reduce stress and anxiety. Find a quiet place, lie down, loosen your clothes, and repeat calming, peaceful phrases to yourself.
10. Create A Positive Self-Talk Habit
Now that you’ve followed the advice we gave you on number 3, it’s time you develop a minor habit that makes a huge impact on your life. Notice your negative thoughts and replace the negative with something neutral or positive.
SEE ALSO: 7 Tips To Reduce Daily Stress And Anxiety
11. Pajama Day
You finally have the day off you were looking forward to, but this time do what you want to do. Throw on your most comfortable pajamas and forget about the rest. After all, the laundry can be done another day.
12. Hug Someone
It’s actually suggested everyone should receive at least 8 hugs per day. They help you feel safe, boost oxytocin levels (heals feelings of loneliness and anger), and can lift serotonin levels for an extended period of time (elevating mood and happiness).
13. Self-Hypnosis
A simple, relaxing technique to change habits, alter thoughts, and more. Reaching a greatly relaxed state will help fight tension and reduce anxiety levels. Self-hypnosis will require some practice, but it’s worth it.
14. Daydream
Imagination is a notable stress reliever. Picture yourself walking on the ocean floor, driving a flying car, or saving the world with superhero powers. It might seem a bit silly, but no one else will know what you’re thinking about!
15. Read
A good book (or a good article from Chief Health) can relax your body by lowering your heart rate and easing the tension on your muscles. Research from the University of Sussex has found reading can reduce stress by up to 68%.
16. Tea or Coffee
Both drinks can substantially lower stress levels. A small amount of caffeine can improve alertness and reduce stress; however, excessive amounts can make stress worse.
17. Visualize Your Ideal Life (And Work On Making It Happen)
Think about where you’d like to be in your life, and then start taking the steps to make it possible. This will help you accomplish your goals and forget about the rest.
18. No News
Constantly watching the news can fuel daily stress. Keeping up with current events causes greater levels of stress and anxiety. It is instinctual to pay close attention to potential threats, so the news today might be potentially addictive for all the wrong reasons.
19. Yoga
Yoga involves steady breathing, meditation, and light-moderate exercise. It can help reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and lower heart rate. Many forms of yoga are safe and easy, but some are tougher and might not be appropriate for everyone.
20. Spa Night
Turn on your oil diffuser, dim the lights, throw on a Dead Sea Mud Mask, and step into the bathtub with a bath bomb. Pampering yourself is an inexpensive and effective way to relieve some stress.
SEE ALSO: 40 Simple Ways To Stay Healthy
21. Friends
Invite a couple of your closest friends over to catch up, watch the game, or enjoy a funny movie. This will improve your friendships and help you forget about your troubles.
22. Games
Play a game with some friends, or play a mini-game online to take your mind off of things. Games help reduce stress and make people less depressed and hostile.
23. Laugh
Laughing decreases stress hormones and increases immune cells, thus improving your general health. Laughing and smiling releases feel-good chemicals called endorphins which promote well-being.
24. Aromatherapy
Specific essential oils used in aromatherapy can help relieve stress, relax the body, and promote better sleep. Studies have confirmed that stress levels decrease when aromatherapy was received. (2)
25. Sing
Music alone has the ability to sooth stressors while singing along offers psychological relief. Endorphins and oxytocin are both released during singing.
