Stress reduction is very important since it can lead to many diseases like heart attacks, breathing problems, and mental problems. Stress reduction is sometimes hard to achieve and needs to be learned. Stress has become inevitable in our lives, especially with deadlines approaching, work piling up, controlling, toxic environment, etc.
You are in control of your stress, but you need to learn the triggers and the relaxation tools to do so. No matter exactly what sort of stress you’re experiencing, multiple activities have been shown to be very effective.
What are some things we can do to help reduce stress? Here are 10 tips:
1. Tapping
Tapping is a unique combination of acupressure tapping points, meridian tapping (inspired by ancient Tibetan meridian healing process and ancient Chinese philosophy) that can provide relief for a variety of problems, including allergies, headache, shoulder pain, anxiety, and emotional and sleeping disorders. Generating electric signals on specific acupressure points helps us release negative emotions and, therefore, relieve stress. Tapping, sometimes called Emotional Freedom Techniques or EFT, is a simple and easy technique that you can practice to relieve physical pain, emotional discomfort, distress, and more. Tapping acupressure points, focusing on the breath, asserting your power, and taking time for self-care are among the many activities featured that will help you increase your sense of calm and well-being.
2. Wellness and spa
Aromatherapy and massage have been around for thousands of years, but never has it been more accessible than today. Quality essential oils are now available in aromatherapy diffusers, body lotions and soaps, rescue remedy drops, and other products that can simply be inhaled, applied or massaged onto skin areas that need to be de-stressed. Pure, non-synthetic quality essential oils help calm the body, mind, and spirit by releasing negative emotions and replacing them with positive ones. Aromatherapy diffusers gently release pure essential oil blends throughout the air in your home or office. Simple daily activities with these oils and drops can provide relief from stress and anxiety, improve focus, help ease anxiety.
3. Yoga and Tai Chi practice
Yoga has been practiced for over 5,000 years and continues to grow in popularity. Join a guided Yoga or Thai chi class for proper physical performance and correct posture. There are many types of yoga and the purpose of yoga postures, in general, is to unite the body and mind, oneness with the self within and environment outside. All you need to get started is a quiet place free from distractions and a yoga mat. Nothing else is required, but feel free to wear comfortable clothes. Build strength, improve your flexibility, and find peace through the practice of yoga.
In Thai chi, your mind and body focus on slow, controlled movement to increase energy flow and promote relaxation. The slow pace of each movement opens your breathing, stills your heartbeat, and quiets your thoughts. This classic Chinese exercise is practiced for centuries as meditation in motion and is a great stress relief strategy. Take a few moments each day to do these exercises for stress relief.
4. Easy guided meditation
Relaxation can be learned through the practice of meditation. These include breathing exercises, talking back to the restless mind, mindful movement, a parasympathetic response, progressive muscle relaxation, mindful acceptance, compassionate self-talk, taming the monkey mind, non-judgmental awareness (of inner experience), holding the space of relaxation, and coming away safely. The challenge that many people have with meditation is that they have difficulty to focus if so you need a teacher or guided recorded meditation to show you exactly what you need to do. You listen to a series of comforting background sounds as you relax on your own; the friendly nature of the narrator’s voice helps your mind relax as well.
Mood improvement begins with a deep breath, and you can make it happen with easy meditation techniques. These tips will help you gain more peace of mind–and lessen stress–in your life.
5. Dance and music
Dancing is an excellent way to release built-up stress. You don’t need a partner or even a specific rhythm it’s all about expression and feeling, which makes it great for any age or fitness level. Dancing is also a lot of fun, so why not get yourself moving to one of the stress-relieving songs? Using music and dance as a way to de-stress is an age-old technique that people use in every culture all around the world. Research has shown that music benefits the body in many ways, such as helping to release endorphins, while dancing brings mindfulness to the present moment. So dance, sing, play, and drum.
6. Adult colouring and scrapbooking
Do you love to colour? Creative colouring, especially with colouring books for adults on the market today, can be great at relaxing your body and mind. Adult colouring is calming, relaxing, creative and fun. No artistic skills are required as the pictures are already created for you. The illustrations in these books have been specifically designed to be detailed, intricate and realistic with beautiful patterns for hours of colouring fun. The focus required helps to release endorphins, the body’s natural happy hormones, allowing people to feel happier, more relaxed and enjoy better physical health. Adult colouring books have become an increasingly popular trend, so take a break and create endless opportunities for relaxation.
There are many ways you can also use scrapbooking as your own personal stress relief method. It is not only done by collecting photos in albums or journals, but also designing your entire home and setting goals in scrapbook style. With tons of pictures, memories, quotes and goals you put in albums, scrapbooking is one of the most important activities to help you get organized. Scrapbooks are also a great way for the whole family to participate.
7. Creative writing or diary
Relaxation and stress relief can be as simple as picking up a pen and writing about your worries. There are many people that feel that writing can really help them bring more positivity into their lives. Doing creative writing allows you to express yourself in a way that running or talking about your situation can’t. The more you write creatively, the more likely it is that you will feel better. You may even find out things about yourself that you never knew before.
Keeping a journal may also positively impact mental health. Research from the University of Missouri at Columbia indicates that writing about traumatic events helped students report lower anxiety and depression levels and enhanced their self-confidence when related to future stressful life events. This may be because writing improves emotional regulation, which can also strengthen relationships, according.
Many people write to relieve stress. If you are one of them, here are some suggestions. Take a sheet of paper. Write the date at the top centre of the page. Write your problem in an area at least a sentence long and leave room beneath it for your solution or comments, if any. If you have more than one problem, write them all on the same sheet of paper. Let yourself be creative with this exercise. Don’t be upset if you find yourself writing silly stuff – be grateful it works.
8. Regular sleep pattern
Your brain and body need regular sleep to function properly. Sleep is a stress reliever in itself, and regular sleep patterns are essential for stress relief. It is best to organize your daily activities to ensure at least seven and a half hours of quality sleep in total. Aim to go to bed at the same time each night and wake up at the same time each morning. A behavioral cycle that includes sleeping at a regular time in a proper position, awakening at the same time each morning without an alarm clock, and getting out of bed without fogginess or grogginess. The disappearance of stress over time increases energy and happiness, including increased memory and clarity. Regular sleep pattern is essential for hormone balance and optimal health. Make sure that your bedroom isn’t overstimulating or so dark that you can’t see anything around you to set the mood. Dark colours and dark curtains are generally a better choice for bedrooms, but they can make it difficult to wake up in the morning. Try to keep your bedroom as cool, quiet, and free from electrical devices and other distractions as possible.
9. Simple walk
For many of us, one of the most effective ways to calm the stress is simply to get outdoors. Getting out and taking a walk outside is an excellent method to reduce psychological stress. Fresh air and sunlight also work wonders and what better way to make that happen than a walk in the park. Studies have shown that walking, even in short amounts, releases chemicals in the brain that act as natural antidepressants and anti-anxiety agents. You can also burn some unwanted calories and improve your physical health and wellness. Whether it’s walking or gardening, these time-tested relaxation activities will help you reclaim the joy in life, maintain a healthy balance between work and play, and enjoy the peace of mind that comes from a positive outlook on life.
10. Walk away from a toxic environment
Last but most important advice to relieve stress and restore inner peace is to walk away from a toxic environment. Are you stressed at work? Are you being yelled at, bullied, or having to deal with toxic co-workers or partner? Are you tired from typing away on your keyboard all day? Sometimes the solution is to make BIG changes in your life. No, I don’t mean walk out the door and quit your job or move immediately. That is impulsive and would not be a step towards stress relief. Instead, I am talking about making changes that will improve your life in the long term. It’s possible that you may not be able to leave your current job right now, but if you can find almost any time or situation when you can walk away from the toxic environment, then do. It might be you start working 2 hours later or earlier, or start remote working from home or in a different office.
Explore the world of stress relief tips with a variety of suggestions to quiet your mind and relax your senses. Whether you choose tapping, yoga, meditation, colouring, essential oils, rescue remedies, spending time with friends and family, dancing, and playing music, or any other type of self-help strategy, take advantage of these proven ways to relieve stress in your life
