Simple Ways to Relieve Stress and Anxiety

Stress and anxiety can be hard to avoid no matter who you are, or what your life circumstances may be. Feelings of stress and anxiety can also seem difficult to manage at times, and it may not always be easy to know what to do about them.

The good news though is that there are many simple and natural ways to help curb stress and start feeling better today.

TAKE YOUR LEISURE TIME SERIOUSLY TO DECREASE STRESS AND ANXIETY

Many people are busy and spend their time worrying about things like work, school, and what they’re going to have for dinner. In the stress and activity of daily life, it can be hard to truly unwind. Not only that, but some may even forget to take advantage of their leisure time and do something that is truly relaxing with it.

To help keep stress levels at bay, it can be vital to make sure that you make the most of your down time. Whether you like to relax by reading a book, or you think you should call pool builders near me so that you can finally have the backyard pool you always wanted, taking time to unwind can make a huge difference for your stress levels.

TRY DEEP BREATHING AND MEDITATION TO DECREASE STRESS AND ANXIETY

Along with carving out time to relax properly, trying exercises like deep breathing and meditation can also be beneficial for reducing stress levels. Deep breathing exercises can be great, because they can work quickly and can begin to calm down your nervous system almost immediately in many cases.

Meditation is also great for reducing stress, especially when practiced regularly for intervals of 15 to 20 minutes a day. When you meditate, it can not only help clear your mind and reduce your heart rate in the short term, but it can also help change the overall structure of your brain and increase your ability to be resilient to stress over time.

EAT A CALMING DIET TO DECREASE STRESS AND ANXIETY

What many don’t realize is that the diet they eat can have a significant impact on their stress and anxiety levels. Foods that are high in sugar or refined carbs can lead to spikes in blood sugar which can in turn affect your mood.

While eating sugary foods may make you feel better and give you a small rush initially, they will also lead to a crash, which over time can lead to higher levels of cortisol in your body, which is one of the primary stress hormones.

By avoiding foods that can spike your blood sugar and eating more foods that can help relax you, like fresh fruits and vegetables and good fats like coconut oil and salmon, you can help improve your mood and stress levels effortlessly.

KEEP A JOURNAL TO DECREASE STRESS AND ANXIETY

Another simple way to start reducing your feelings of stress is to start a journal. Sometimes, feelings of stress and anxiety can be due to unprocessed emotions. By taking some time to write down your thoughts and feelings, you can often release pent up emotions, as well as learn how to process things that may be bothering you. To get the best results from journaling, it is best to do it regularly, and to keep doing it over an extended period of time.

TRY WORKOUTS THAT DECREASE STRESS

Regular exercise of any kind can be a great way to beat stress, but some forms of exercise like yoga can be particularly great for reducing stress and calming down your nervous system. Part of the reason that yoga is so great for this is that it involves sustained focus on the breath. By maintaining your focus on one thing, you are often forced to push other distractions out of your mind.

Additionally, many yoga poses, like downward dog or pigeon pose are great for stretching your body and releasing tension from it. This is great for your stress levels, because your body will often hold onto unprocessed emotions, and without proper release they can perpetuate feelings of stress.

SOME LAST THOUGHTS TO DECREASE STRESS AND ANXIETY

Stress and anxiety are common parts of life for most people, however, that doesn’t mean that they’re just things you should have to deal with. By taking some steps to reduce stress in your life by doing things like taking your leisure time seriously, and trying stress-relieving exercises, you can help yourself to start feeling more relaxed today.