Stress is unavoidable. Whether you are swamped at work or having trouble in a relationship, everyone experiences stress, and too much of it can lead to health issues. What you can control is how you manage your stress. Though it might be easy to reach for comfort food or have a couple of cocktails, there are healthier ways to manage your stress without turning to food.
Get up and exercise.
Exercising, even for a short period of time, is a great way to manage stress. Physical activity increases the production of endorphins, which can instantly improve your mood. Exercise can also have long-term positive effects. Regular exercise can help you relax, improve self-confidence, and lower the symptoms that are associated with anxiety and depression. In addition, exercise often helps improve sleep, which can be impacted by stress and anxiety.
If you find yourself having a hard time fitting exercise into your busy schedule, try adding it to your agenda as you would a meeting or other engagement. You can also fit short bursts of exercise into your day by taking the stairs instead of the elevator and incorporating stretch breaks into your work day.
Treat yourself to a Massage.
Massage therapy is another form of natural stress relief. Though it is not meant as a replacement for medical care, many people find it relaxing. According to Mayo Clinic, some studies have suggested that massage can be helpful for a variety of health issues including anxiety, muscle tension and pain, headaches, and insomnia related to stress.
Swedish massage is the most common type for stress relief. This modality utilizes a variety of motions to decompress muscle tissue, break up knots, and release tension. A Swedish massage increases blood circulation and lowers blood pressure, which leads to enhanced relaxation.
Practice meditation.
Often, stress and anxiety are the result of distracting thoughts and worries. Through meditation, many people are able to focus their attention away from these stressful thoughts. Meditation can help you reduce stress both in the moment and throughout the day.
Mindfulness meditation is a popular form which involves increasing awareness and acceptance of living in the present moment. Researchers from Johns Hopkins University suggest that mindfulness meditation is an effective way to ease stresses like anxiety, depression, and pain. This type of meditation can be practiced anywhere that you are able to focus on your experience.
Aim for longer and better quality rest.
Sleep deprivation can have a profound impact on your total health, and getting quality sleep is important for managing stress levels and reducing feelings of anxiety or depression. Most adults should aim for between seven to nine hours of sleep each night.
Getting more and better sleep may be easier said than done, but there are some simple ways to improve the quality of your rest. Set and stick to a sleep schedule by going to bed and waking up at the same time each day. Additionally, you can create a sleep environment that is conducive to quality rest by powering down your technology devices in the bedroom and maintaining a cool, dark, and quiet sleep space.
Disclaimer
These statements and products have not been evaluated by the food and drug administration “FDA” and are not intended to diagnose treat, cure or prevent any disease. The products, nutrition, and or lifestyle suggestions on this site, or in this blog or any of its written content, you should always consult your primary care physician before taking any of these things into consideration.
