Stress is a part of everyone’s life, but staying stressed out does not have to be. There are always going to be things in your life that you have no control over, but you do have control over your reaction to those things. Being overly stressed not only harms you mentally, it also harms you physically.
If you have ever heard the saying that laughter is the best medicine, it’s true! A great way to reduce stress is simply to laugh. Laughter is nature’s way of reducing the levels of stress hormones in your body. Along with reducing stress hormones, laughter also increases the good hormones in your body like endorphins and neurotransmitters, all of which help to make us happy.
To handle stress in your life, start by minimizing stress in your life. Something as simple as laying out your work clothing for the next day can give you a better start in the morning; it may give you a few extra minutes to relax as well, instead of running around looking for a stray shoe or favorite blue sweater.
If you’re feeling stressed out try exercising on a regular basis. Exercising three to five times a week is a great way for your body to burn off excess energy and to clear out the stress. While you’re exercising, your mind can focus on that task at hand and you can forget about what’s stressing you out.
Take time for a mini self-massage. Taking the palm of your hand and simply massage it with the thumb of the other hand in a circular motion can help to relieve your stress. You could also use a massage tool to do this. Massage works wonders at getting rid of stress.
When you are stressed at work or in class, hold a stress ball. This will allow you to squeeze something every time you get aggravated to help appease the tension that you feel. Holding onto a stress ball for a good part of the day is a very healthy way to eliminate stress.
When you work for the greater part of your life, you may not have time to treat yourself. One of the things that you should do at least once during the week is to get a manicure or a pedicure. This will make you feel good about your body and relieve your tension.
If you want to reduce the amount of tension in your life, go to your favorite store and buy a pair of shoes that you’ve always wanted. When you purchase something new and fresh, it makes you feel more comfortable with your appearance, which will give you more confidence and reduce your anxiety.
Take some time for yourself. Always set aside a little time each day to devote to yourself. Whether it’s a little time in the morning before anyone else is awake or in the evening when dinner is over – try to relax. Some people find that meditation helps them, some like relaxing in a warm bath, whereas others like to destress themselves by going for a walk or a run.
If you are dealing with a lot of stress do something that will take your mind off of it for a while. This could be reading a book or playing a video game. Then when you are sufficiently relaxed, go back to what you were working on and you will find it much easier to do with a clear mind.
If you eat foods that have a lot of carbohydrates, your body will release serotonin. This is your body’s natural relaxing chemical. So if you’re feeling stressed, munch on some crackers, pretzels, a bagel, or other snacks that have a lot of carbohydrates in them. This will help your body naturally relax itself.
If you’re finding yourself under a lot of stress often, try scheduling your day. If you plan your day out, you won’t have to worry about trying to figure out what do next. Or if you’re already doing this and are still stressed, do the opposite and try and wing it each day. Find the right medium between scheduling and winging it that works for you.
Try aromatherapy for calming your nerves and reducing your stress levels. Citrus and lavender are both proven to do just this. You can use scented soaps in the shower, or try candles or heated oils in your home. If you surround yourself with peaceful scents you can reduce the amount of stress you feel at home.
As you can see, there are many positive ways you can deal with your stress. Stress is unavoidable, and you will always have to deal with it, but the better you cope with it, the healthier you will be. Follow these tips, and you will find yourself better able to deal with your stresses.