Stress is a part of everyday life, and how you react to it has a major impact on physical and mental health. The following seven tips can help you keep stress under control.
1. Take a Walk Outside
Walking is an excellent way to stop early signs of stress in their tracks. It also provides an opportunity to get in a little bit of exercise, which has been shown to support positive mental health. Adding in an outdoor aspect allows you to reap the many benefits of time in nature.
2. Strengthen your Relationships
Experts are becoming more aware of the importance of healthy, strong relationships in maintaining mental health and improving quality of life. Additionally, friends make excellent sounding boards when stress does strike.
That is why it is so helpful to work on strengthening relationships. A few ideas to ensure you take time with friends include scheduling a weekly meetup or maybe even planning an annual trip to a few of the best Caribbean islands.
3. Practice Yoga
If you haven’t tried yoga, you may wonder about the hype around this exercise modality. However, the answers will become more clear once you make it a part of your regular practice. Yoga has been linked to improved physical and mental health outcomes, can help increase flexibility and range of motion, and is a great way to stop stress from nibbling away at you.
One of the best features of yoga is that anyone can do it. There are many different styles and levels, so be sure to pick one that is appropriate for your ability. This will help you ease into regular practice.
4. Develop Personal Interests
Hobbies are a powerful tool in combating stress. They provide an opportunity to focus on yourself instead of others while also giving you a break from life’s hectic pace and responsibilities. Additionally, the right hobby can help you combat boredom and a lack of engagement.
Find a few activities that you enjoy and make them a part of your regular routine. It may also be helpful to connect with others who share your interests. For example, if you enjoy sewing, look into local groups that meet up to sew charity projects.
5. Work Up a Sweat
Exercise is one of the greatest ways to ensure you stay physically and mentally fit. Unfortunately, many people try a few exercise classes or purchase an ill-fitting gym membership and get turned off. Don’t let one or two failed attempts keep you from enjoying the benefits of regular exercise.
The most important thing is finding an activity you enjoy and sticking with it. It doesn’t have to be a traditional exercise, either. Maybe you enjoy roller skating, riding a bike, or playing disc golf — all of which are great ways to break a sweat.
6. Learn Breath Meditation
Making meditation a part of your daily routine can help you stay focused and limit the effects of stress. Unfortunately, many people avoid it because they think it is too hard or will take too much time. Enter breath meditation, which is one of the easiest forms to learn. Numerous free online tutorials and scripts are available to help get you started. So, if you tried yoga and liked it, but it just wasn’t the right thing for you, then breath meditation might be a good fit.
7. Use Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy offers a truly passive way to keep stress at bay. It harnesses the chemical sin plants and sends them directly to the nervous system via the olfactory nerve. Lavender, chamomile, clary sage and bergamot are among the most popular essential oils for relieving stress and anxiety. If you decide to try aromatherapy, be sure to buy high-quality essential oils, not fragrance oils made with synthetic chemicals.
You can’t avoid stress altogether, but you can take steps to minimize its impact on your life. Regular exercise, meditation, and developing relationships can all help you manage stress levels.
