We live in a fast-paced world where time is money, while money is everything. Sometimes it’s hard to live up to everyone’s expectations and it inevitably takes its toll on our health and peace of mind. Stress is one of the main consequences of a hectic way of life, while stress-related health issues are among the most common ones. It’s no secret that stress can contribute to heart disease, depression, sleep dysfunction, weight gain, ulcers, and slower healing. Luckily, there are many simple things that we can to combat stress and prevent these problems.
In Corpore Sano
Even in Ancient Rome people knew that exercising is crucial to one’s well-being. However, although it’s common knowledge, we tend to find numerous excuses why we can’t hit the gym or just simply jog through the neighborhood. Exercising is so effective when it comes to stress management, that only as much as 20 minutes of walking, swimming, running or any other physical activity can offer immediate relief. So, grab your sneakers and exercise your way out of stress.
Meditation
Meditation is one of the most popular relaxation techniques. It’s especially successful in soothing your mind and offering a new perspective on things. Cumulative stress can easily cloud one’s vision and trap a person in a vicious circle of worrying, anxiety and depression. Meditation and mindfulness can help in boosting self-esteem and overcoming negative thought patterns, which is crucial for coping with stress. Only a few minutes of meditation a day can do wonders for the mind.
Yoga
Yoga is a perfect blend of meditation, breathing and exercising. It’s great because everybody can practice it regardless of their age, weight or health issues. The best thing about yoga is that it helps in achieving peace of mind as well as establishing a body-mind balance. There are numerous styles of yoga, but what’s common for all of them is that they successfully reduce stress and anxiety, lower blood pressure, as well as ameliorate depression, insomnia, and pain. Don’t forget that certain yoga poses can be practiced even at work.
A Friend Indeed
Hanging out with your friends is one of the best ways to get rid of stress. Research studies show that spending time with your best friend during stressful times reduces levels of cortisol – the stress hormone. One of the best methods of dealing with stress and anxiety is chatting with your friends. Throw in some hot chocolate, coffee or tea and there’s a perfect recipe for happiness and relaxation. In order to make this experience even more pleasant, get some unique, personalized, colorful mugs for your hot beverages. Make your choice from a wide range of products from Planet Mugs and find your favorite anti-stress mug.
Cuddle Up with a Good Book
This cozy anti-stress strategy is one of the easiest to start with. You just need a comfy armchair and a good book. Books have a therapeutic effect as they provide us with a sort of escapism. Reading requires concentration and that’s how it can distract our minds from everyday chores and problems. Being immersed into different literary worlds relieves the tension in muscles and heart.
Silver Screen Magic
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to understand that watching a movie is an excellent de-stress method. Although you can stay home and enjoy a good comedy on TV, going to the cinema might even be a better idea. A huge silver screen and the atmosphere of the theater are additional ingredients that can make you feel better. The idea of a night out can lift your spirits, while the fact that you’ll have to turn off your phone during the movie will surely eliminate potential distractions and make you forget about the outside world.
The Sound of Music
Music has a great role in dealing with stress, anxiety, and depression. Music therapy is used for treating various psychological as well as medical issues. However, you don’t need to resort to some kind of organized therapy as listening to your favorite songs will do the trick, too. Classical music is usually recommended for relaxation, so even if you don’t usually listen to this genre, it would be good to give it a try as it has beneficial effects such as lowering your heart rate and reducing cortisol levels. Singing is a great method for releasing tension, so a karaoke night once in a while can be just what the doctor prescribed.
Walk the Extra Mile
The last but not least is walking. This activity is usually the first thing that comes to mind when people are asked about getting in shape or losing weight. However, the effects of taking a brisk 20-minute walk are similar of those achieved by a mild tranquilizer. Walking increases levels of endorphin – a chemical responsible for relaxation and stress relief. In other words, this kind of physical activity will help you reduce both stress and body weight. Make at least one of these activities your everyday habit and get rid of stress in no time.