20 Ways to Reduce Anxiety and Stress
Stress and anxiety are some of the worst
illnesses afflicting our age. Not only do they reduce our happiness and
ability to enjoy our lives and our loved ones, but they are also the
leading causes of many types of diseases and afflictions of the body, as
well as the mind.
So it is of paramount importance that we
are all familiar with ways to reduce our overall, or momentary, stress.
Here are 20 great and easy ways to reduce your stress and start feeling a
whole lot better!
1. Take a deep breath. As simple as that
sounds, deep breaths reduce the amount of cortisol, which can help
release stress and anxiety. So next time you feel overwhelmed, start
with some deep breathing.
2. Drink tea: Studies show that drinking tea balances the amount of the
cortisol hormone released after stress and makes us feel more relaxed.
3. Retreat to your imagination: Close your
eyes, eliminate all noise (other than soothing music) and use all your
senses to imagine a peaceful scene, and let calm wash over you. If it
doesn't work, imagine a happy memory of a time when you felt at ease.
4. Exercise: Not only does physical activity give a well needed release
for your anger and frustration, the endorphins that are released after
help to dramatically reduce anxiety, as well as make you feel more
powerful and in control. Here are some great exercises you can do at
home.
5. Have intimate relations: Research shows that having intimate
relations reduces the symptoms of stress and anxiety significantly. It's
our body's way of thanking us for a job well done (procreating).
Muscles lose their tension, and our body goes into a much more relaxed
state.
6. Music: Studies show that listening to music can alleviate stress by
activating bio-chemical mechanisms in the brain responsible for
controlling the amount of stress we feel. Listen to some beautiful
music.
7. Yoga: We'll say it again - yoga is
great. The combination of breathing techniques and physical activity
makes yoga one heck of a soldier in the fight against anxiety.
8. Walking: A quiet walk, especially at night, can do wonders for
stress. There are many types of walking exercises you can do, from easy
to more difficult, that will help you in different ways. Here's how you
can choose the best walking exercise for your needs.
9. Talk to a loved one: Some people need to 'get it off their chest',
and who better to talk to than someone who is on your side. Maybe it's a
partner, a great friend or a relative, but the interaction and
closeness can do wonders.
10. Take a break: Take yourselves out of a
stressful situation from time to time, don't slog it. The time off will
help you come back with renewed energy. Remember, you are not a machine,
you need these little breaks.
11. Scented candles: Studies show that aromatherapy can be very
effective against stress, and lavender scents have been directly linked
to a decrease in overall stress.
12. A long, pampering massage: There's nothing like a good massage to
take away all the combined stress in your muscles and let it go. Studies
have shown that a 40-minute massage can do a lot to reduce stress in
the body as well as improving our self-image. Ask your partner to
massage you or pamper yourself with a professional massage.
13. Get a pet: Statistics show that people
who own pets are less stressed. One theory is that pets take us outside
of the human world and the stress it creates, and make us forget about
it for a while. After all, the world of a cat or a dog is a much nicer,
calmer place, where momentary pleasures are much more important than
worrying. Dogs, for example can actually make you live longer.
14. Write a diary: Writing a diary is a
well known treatment for alleviating stress and anxiety. Pick a time of
day to sit down and write about whatever you are feeling and going
through. Let the stress flow out with the ink (or virtual ink if you are
using a computer).
15. Take a nap: A nap, usually around noon, is a great way to let your
body balance its hormones and release stress. Read more about why naps
are so good for you.
16. Meditation: The best thing about meditation is that it allows the
brain to relax for a bit and so decreases the over-thinking we do and
the stress that comes with it. Give your mind a well needed break. Read
our guide to meditating at home
17. Chew gum: Chewing gum has a similar effect to drinking tea. The
ongoing activity will also give you something to focus on other than the
stress, and will prevent you from clenching your jaw and causing
yourself pain.
18. Laugh: It's not a myth that laughter can be the best medicine, as it
releases endorphins that significantly reduce the levels of stress in
the body. So watch a comedy, read some jokes or share some laughs with a
funny friend.
19. Take time for yourself: Find time to be alone, isolate the
disturbing thoughts and think of creative ideas. Sometimes it's better
not to run from stress, but deal with it.
20. Believe in yourself: If there's one thing we can leave you with, it
is this: Know that you have the power to succeed and overcome any
problem, believe in yourself enough to take risks and take that
important step forward.
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