Did you know that around 70% of adults in the US suffer from daily stress and anxiety?
It’s a staggering figure considering the effects that stress has on our health and well-being. It can lead to physical and psychological problems, and in some cases, even death.
We can’t emphasize enough how important stress management is in living a happy and healthy existence.
Doing a couple of stress-busting activities on a regular basis may help you stay sane among your busy schedule:
1. Breathing Exercises
What makes deep breathing an effective way of relieving stress is that it’s easy to do and you can do it anywhere you want. You can almost instantly feel its effect after doing it.
Deep breathing presents a lot of benefits like relaxing the muscles and calming the mind. It gets rid of stress quickly, helping you get back to being proactive and focused.
This is the reason why people suffering from panic attacks are told to breathe slowly because deep breathing helps them get back to their normal state.
2. Meditation
Meditation is the process of putting the mind at rest and reaching a state of consciousness that differs from the normal waking state.
The mind is clear and relaxed while you are fully awake and alert, yet it is not focused on the external world or on any of the events happening around you at that moment.
It deepens when the mind is silent and free from distractions.
With meditation, not only will you be performing breathing exercises, but you will also be helping your mind find your focus by entering a state where your mind can stay calm and rest for a few minutes to give you enough time to regain your “center”.
Getting back your focus can lead to increased productivity and peace of mind, things you need to combat stress.
3. Get a Massage
There’s no denying the tension that stress can inflict on the body and the mind. Daily activities can also lead to pain, injury, and stiffness which makes massage therapy a worthy alternative.
Apart from its physical benefits, massage therapy has also been known to treat mental and emotional problems like anxiety, fear, and depression, just to name a few.
Getting a massage can help reduce physical tensions while also helping you feel more calm and relaxed at the same time.
4. Exercise
We all know how exercise can help us control our weight, keep us in shape, and make us healthier which makes it a must-do daily activity.
More than these benefits, however, exercise is also a good way to distract ourselves from stressful situations. In fact, it is a good outlet to vent out your frustrations. The added benefit to exercise is the release of endorphins–feel-good hormones that lift your mood.
5. Writing & Journaling
Another good outlet to relieving stress is writing or journaling. Keeping a record of the things that stress you out as well as those that you’re thankful for can help relieve all the stress and anxiety you’re feeling inside.
Try this exercise for a week and see if your stress melts away: Write down 5-10 things you are grateful for each day in your journal. When we turn our minds to gratefulness–it is difficult to be stressed.
6. Guided Imagery
What could be more relaxing than going back to your “happy place” or fond memories through your imagination while under a state similar to meditation?
Sounds fantastic, doesn’t it?
Guided imagery is an excellent way to relax by visiting places and environments you’d love to visit using your mind. You can enhance the experience by playing natural sounds in the background as well as sound recordings of yourself.
It’s a widely-used relaxation and stress management technique that works especially if you love daydreaming or have an active imagination.
7. Music
Not a lot of people realize the power that music possesses when it comes to physical and mental health. Music therapy has been known to provide a couple of benefits for people suffering from mild conditions like stress and even the more severe ones like cancer.
Playing the right music can help lower blood pressure, relax the body, and calm the mind so if you’re stressed at work and you want to release some of the tension, all you have to do is play some soothing tunes on your phone.
A mix of upbeat, high-energy, mellow, and instrumental tunes are ideal for relaxation because it calms your mind and gets you in the mood.
Final Thoughts
Stress is without a doubt, something we should not take lightly. It would be a huge mistake to take stress for granted as it is well known that stress leads to all sorts of other health issues like weight gain, high blood pressure, and heart attacks just to name a few. Learning how to decrease your stress is important and using some of the tools described here can help.
Want to book a massage? We’ve got you covered!
The statements on this blog post are not to be used to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent diseases. The author and the website does not in any way guarantee or warrant the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any statement and will not be held responsible for the content of any message. Always consult your personal physician for specific medical advice.
