Stress is an unavoidable part of life, but that doesn’t mean you have to let it take over. There are a number of ways to reduce stress and live a healthier, more balanced life.
Here are five methods to get started on reducing your stress levels today:
1. Exercise Regularly: Exercise is one of the most effective and natural ways to reduce stress. Not only does exercise help your body produce more endorphins - the hormones that make you feel good - but it also helps distract from the thoughts that may be causing you stress and anxiety. Whether its running, swimming, bike riding or just taking a walk around your block – 30 minutes a day should allow for enough time to get out and get active!
2. Meditation: Mindfulness meditation helps free our minds of anxieties by bringing us away from chaotic or negative thoughts and into the present moment. You can just focus on your breath for a few minutes or combine basic meditation techniques with guided visualizations or mantras – however works best for you!
3. Journaling: Writing down your feelings can be an incredibly powerful outlet when trying to cope with stress. As opposed to meditation which focuses on being in the present moment, journaling allows us to reflect back on our experiences and provide clarity into what emotions we are currently experiencing as well as why they might be occurring in the first place.
4. Eat Healthy Meals: Eating healthy meals throughout the day brings stability not only physically but mentally as well – allowing us more energy and less fatigue during these stressful times. Incorporate antioxidants such as colorful fruits collected every week at farmer’s markets as well as natural sources of omega-3 fatty acids like walnuts, krill oil, sardines, or salmon for added mental clarity throughout your day!
5. Be With Others: According to scientific research social activities can drastically reduce our level of cortisol (the main stress hormone) within seconds of engaging with others –helping up better regulate ourselves emotionally against other environmental triggers that could otherwise cause distressful reactions within us . Whether its going out one night a week with friends , joining group sport leagues , attending religious services - having quality time with others will help ease our levels of daily tension if done regularly !