Stress, particularly when it is chronic, can have a detrimental impact on our lives in several ways. It can cause us to lose sleep, experience headaches, stomach pain, and digestive disorders; it can lead to depression and panic attacks and even affect sex. The way we respond to stress can compound the negative impact on our health, for example, reaching for a glass of wine or a cigarette. Understanding how to combat stress can help avoid some adverse effects on your physical and emotional well-being and prevent you from reaching total burn-out. Learn to manage and minimize stress using the four top tips below.
Fuel your body and mind
Having a nutritious diet and maintaining your physical health, energy levels, and body’s capacity for healing and renewal are hugely important in combat stress. When we don’t eat well, we can be prone to illness and feel low in energy and focus. When we talk about diet here, we’re not talking about calorie-counting, denying ourselves anything tasty, or following one fad after another. We’re talking about getting a nutritious and balanced diet, ensuring that your body has the vitamins, minerals, and fuel it needs to power your lifestyle and support you to perform at your best, both mentally and physically. For healthy, quick, and easy recipes and ingredients delivered to your door, check out Hello Fresh.
If you’re feeling burned out or exhausted and are looking for a way to quickly boost your health and wellbeing, consider trying out Mobile IV Therapy Los Angeles, they offer a package of treatments that supply your body with essential vitamins and minerals which can help to boost your physical health, energy levels, and mood.
Exercise
Making sure that you get regular exercise is an effective way of managing stress. Exercising releases endorphins, a neurochemical that can boost mood and has reduced feelings of stress. It may also alleviate depression and anxiety. Frustration and pressure in your work and home life? Punch it out in a boxing class, sweat it out in an insanity class or pound it out on the trail by going for a run in the park. You don’t need to be a world-class athlete or invest in a gym membership and expensive workout gear. Getting your body moving in any way can positively impact your overall mental well-being, not to mention your physical health. From gentle yoga at home to a cross-fit workout, find a way to move that works for you and incorporate it into your life regularly. If you’re able to take that workout outdoors, even better. Fresh air and natural surroundings can work wonders in relieving the stress and pressure you’re feeling and restoring a sense of calm.
Mindfulness and meditation
Mindfulness is a great way to aid relaxation, clear your mind, and restore inner calm within the stresses and strains of daily life. Setting aside even five minutes in the morning can adjust the energy and mindset you bring to the day ahead. Practicing mindfulness can help you learn to listen to your body, control your breathing, and manage your stress responses better when triggered. If you’re new to mindfulness and meditation, try out a guided practice that can walk you through a session step-by-step. Take the time to find the style that suits you, and don’t give up if it doesn’t come easy at first. Like anything, it takes time, and there is no wrong way to go about it. Find what works for you. Headspace and Calm are two great apps that can support you through your meditation, offering short sessions that you can easily incorporate into yourr daily routines longer sessions for when you have 30 minutes to an hour to really dedicate to yourself.
Learn to say ‘No.’
It can be tempting to believe that being a ‘yes person will be the key to getting ahead, curating closer friendships, and getting that promotion at work. However, the opposite can be exact. Not setting boundaries and taking on more than we can manage can lead to physical and emotional burn-out, at which point we become of no use to anyone, least of all ourselves. Saying ‘no’ doesn’t have to be rude or aggressive; it can be done graciously and with respect for others and their needs. It is about setting boundaries and being transparent and realistic about what you can take and what you don’t. Rather than earning you respect, people-pleasing is likely to turn you into the person that other people dump on. The more you avoid setting boundaries, the more difficult it will become to do so at a later stage. Remember that you’re human, and you have limits; you can’t be everything to everyone all of the time. When you feel your stress levels climbing too high, sit back and take stock. Are you taking on more than you can manage, and are there ways in which you can scale this back to a manageable level? Learning to say no can be tricky and takes practice, but it is a skill worth developing and can help you minimize stress.
While experiencing stress at certain times is normal and can even help us perform in given situations when it reaches a chronic level, we become far less effective in any area of our lives. Our mental and physical health can suffer significantly. Prioritizing your health and wellbeing is critical to finding balance and improving your quality of life. Try incorporating the above tips into your daily life and watch your stress levels take a dive.
