You’ve got three college projects, your internship, and a paper to worry about this week. Trying to find the time to manage everything has you screaming into the void.
Experiencing a little stress isn’t a horrible thing. It motivates you to get stuff done. The level of anxiety that comes from overbooking yourself is too much for one person to handle, though.
The good news is that relieving stress naturally is all a matter of imagining yourself in your happy place or meditating. If you’re not the kind of person who can keep their brain focused that long, there are other tactics that you can try out. Keep reading to learn what they are.
1. Guided Imagery
When you’re being bombarded by stressors, all you want to do is go somewhere else. We’re here to tell you to go for it.
While you might not be able to travel physically, you can venture off anywhere you want to in your mind.
Close your eyes and imagine yourself sitting somewhere you love. Maybe it’s soft grass under your fingertips or the feeling of warm sand between your toes.
If you need a little assistance to put yourself there, you can listen to a recording of peaceful ocean sounds or watch a video of someone walking through a forest.
2. Hit the Gym
Exercise will tire you out, but it can also help you get some relief from your daily stressors. Working out releases feel-good endorphins in the brain that can lift your mood.
Being in shape can also fill you with confidence and give you the energy you need to go about your day.
Going extra hard in the gym will help you get some sleep at night. When you’re rested, you’ll be able to better handle everything life throws your way.
3. Listen to Your Favorite Song
When things get a little too overwhelming, slip on a pair of headphones and listen to music. It causes a calming effect by reducing the amount of cortisol in the body and lowering blood pressure.
Listening to classical music will provide the best results. If that’s not your thing, you can turn on calming ocean sounds. It’s nature’s radio.
4. Meditation
If you’re looking for short-term stress relief, you can try out mediation. There are many ways to go about it.
You can chant a little mantra in your head. You can practice general mindfulness by focusing on what your senses can perceive.
5. Laughing and Smiling
Like exercise, laughter releases chemicals in the brain that can lift your mood.
Smiling can sort of trick your body into thinking that it’s happy even when you’ve got a lot going on. So, put on a hilarious comedy flick or buy Kevin Hart tickets. Do whatever you’ve got to do to get a good chuckle.
6. Go for a Walk
Again, exercise is great for reducing stress, and you don’t have to hop on a treadmill to get it. Going for a walk every day before work will do the trick.
When your job has you down, your productivity isn’t going to be where it should be anyway. You might as well remove yourself from the source of stress by stepping out for a while.
Being around nature is proven effective for relieving stress naturally. As you can see, venturing into the great outdoors comes with a ton of benefits.
7. Change Your Diet
Reaching for comfort food when you’re feeling stressed will make you feel great in the moment, but the after-effects aren’t worth it. Food has a direct relationship with your mood.
Consuming a bunch of sugar will help energize you for a few hours, but you will crash before the day is through. High-fat foods aren’t much better for you.
When you’re feeling down, you should eat stuff like walnuts, avocados, and eggs. They’re perfect for mood regulation.
8. Talk It Out
Sometimes it helps to talk things out. Step away from your desk and call a friend or family member. Not only will they listen to your troubles, but hearing a reassuring voice can do wonders when you’re in a sour mood.
If you’re stressed and nobody is available, talk to yourself instead. It can help you acknowledge why you’re stressed and allow you to work through it.
9. Deep Breathing Exercises
When you’re feeling like you’re at your wits’ end, stop what you’re doing and take a few calming breaths. You’ll be surprised at how fast it can lift the pressure off your shoulders.
Close your eyes, breathe in, and count to three. Hold your breath for a second before you exhale through your mouth.
10. Sip a Cup of Tea
Drinking a warm beverage is like receiving a full-body hug. It makes you feel cozy.
For many people, the hot drink of choice is coffee. The problem is that it contains tons of caffeine that will give you the jitters later on.
Instead of heading to a coffee shop, drink a nice cup of green tea. It still has some caffeine, but it’s not enough to send your heart rate through the roof.
Relieving Stress Naturally and Living a Healthier Life
Are you tired of feeling on edge all the time? You don’t have to take pills or attend a seminar to kick your anxieties to the curb. Relieving stress naturally is within your grasp.
Allow yourself to laugh, grab a cup of tea, or talk things out with a friend. The little things can make the biggest difference.
For more tips that will help you say goodbye to stress, visit the Health section of our blog.
