But what exactly is stress? Stress is just a symptom of something bigger within your life and like anything else, eating an entire packet of doughnuts won’t solve the problem. It can take control of your mind, leave you feeling anxious and create a constant state of worry.
Here are 10 ways to manage your stress levels:
1. Exercising
Exercise is a great way to relieve stress and relax your mind. It also helps to raise your spirits, strengthen your muscles and burn calories. There are many benefits of exercise, including boosting your mood and reducing anxiety.
Exercising even for a minute does wonders for your stress level. A simple walk in the park or a run around your block will bring down your stress and refresh your mind. You don’t necessarily have to power lift or do an elaborate HIIT workout. Although the more the better, as it releases endorphins, which make you feel happier and more energized.
2. Connect with people
Take a break and talk to your friends and people you bond with. Healthy relationships are essential for a healthy life. It is no secret that talking it out is therapeutic. It can release hormones that reduce stress, while taking away the feelings of isolation and loneliness.
3. Meditation
Meditation is not just about sitting still and thinking of nothing at all; rather, it’s about turning your mind inward to find inner peace and focus on what is going on inside you. It helps you calm down, lower your blood pressure, clear your mind and become more aware of your thoughts, emotions and body sensations. Meditation can help you deal with anxiety through breathing techniques or other techniques that aid in relaxing your body and mind.
4. Eat well
Eating well is important for overall good health, but it’s also important to eat well when stressed out because eating healthy foods will help boost your mood and keep you feeling full for longer compared to junk food.
5. Sleep well
Stress can cause you to lose sleep. Unfortunately, lack of sleep will also add to your stress. It’s a vicious cycle that affects most people. Nevertheless, it needs to be broken. Ideally, one should sleep for about seven to eight hours a day. Any less than that, your body won’t be able to handle the stress. Sleeping in a dim/dark room and having a relaxing nightly routine are known to help one sleep better.
6. Find a hobby
If you are someone who enjoys gardening, mushroom foraging, reading, or anything creative, it’s time you push your sleeves up and pick up the activity again. A hobby can be a nice little escape from your routine. It will also boost your creative side and calm your nerves.
7. Limit the use of social media and devices
Social media has become a part of our daily lives, but if you find yourself getting too much out of it, it could be time to take a break from your screen. Limiting your screen time can help regulate your nervous system and lower stress levels. Even if it is just for ten minutes, sitting in silence and focusing on your breathing can help you release pent-up energy and calm your nerves.
8. Listen to music
Music can help you feel calm when you are overwhelmed. Listening to calming music has been proven to bring down blood pressure. Music is also a great way to use the brain’s “rest and digest” mode. This is particularly helpful if you’re feeling anxious or stressed out.
9. Talk to a therapist
Stress, anxiety, and depression all have one thing in common: they can take a toll on your mental health. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by stress, talking to a therapist is the ultimate solution. They can provide professional assistance and guide you to handle the situation well. There is nothing wrong with seeing a therapist or counsellor.
10. Take a vacation
Getting away from it all is one of the direct ways to handle stress. Take a vacation to handle all things negative that you are feeling. Traveling and connecting with nature can lower your stress levels and ground you. Research has shown that a short break can help people reduce their blood pressure and cholesterol levels, boost their immune systems, improve sleep quality and increase energy levels.
Take an extended trip or even a stress relief retreat in a relaxing resort. There are luxury resorts, where you can escape and unwind from the fast-paced urban life which we all know is the root cause of stress. Santani Wellness Retreat located in Sri Lanka is your ideal getaway to get rid of stress. The lush green hill country surrounding the resort, their exclusive yoga, meditation and Ayurveda treatment packages and most importantly their ‘no device’ policy makes it the perfect place to step out of your routine life and focus on yourself.
