Modern day life can be stressful and fast paced. You have a to-do list longer than the great American novel, the kids aren’t ready for school and your boss is nagging you for that work deadline. Boiling point is being reached and stress levels are reaching critical. Sound familiar? Check out our top 10 ways to de-stress before you go all Incredible Hulk and let stress overwhelm you!
10. Meditation: Not as weird and new age as you’d expect, meditation can be a great way of relaxing and de-stressing both when you are stressed, but also as a preventative measure. Try deep breathing, inhaling through the nose and exhaling through the mouth in slow steady breaths while clearing your mind of thoughts for 5-10 minutes a day to decrease your stress levels.
9. Listen To Music: Scientific studies have shown music can transform our mood, bring back memories and help us to perform better during exercise. Genres such as classical or acoustic music can help us to slow down our heart rate and relax or sticking your favourite turn on can bring back happy memories and improve your mood. According to the charity MIND, music therapy is a recognised way of improving mental health so dust off the CDs and distress your life through music!
8. Exercise: A well known stress-buster, exercise releases endorphins or feel good hormones that can elevate our mood. Exercise can also be a great way to stop yourself thinking about whatever’s stressing you out and release some tension through letting loose on the punch bag for 10 rounds, providing a great physical workout as well as a mental reboot. The benefits of exercise for mental health are well documented and GPs can prescribe gym programs for those suffering with depression.
7. Yoga: One specific type of exercise linked to distressing is yoga which promotes both physical and mental health. Yoga can be done in specific classes or alternatively at home, and even 5 minutes of stretching and deep breathing can refresh your mind and give you the mental boost needed to stifle your stress.
6. Have A Cup Of Tea!: After all, we are British and so what top 10 list could not include tea! A 2010 study conducted by University College London found drinking black tea can have a calming effect on us and specialist teas such as camomile are well known for calming the mind and soothing worries. So next time stress takes over, give yourself 10 minutes, flick on the kettle and relax with a cuppa!
5. Walking Outside: Feeling stressed at work or at home? Taking a walk outside can go a long way in relieving some of your stress and a 20 minute brisk walk can get you some fresh air, some exercise and have a calming effect through being outside with nature. Next time you’re feeling stressed, go outside, become one with nature and de-stress yourself!
4. Smells!: Certain smells such as Lavender Oil have been shown to reduce anxiety and improve mood. Therefore having a handy bottle of Lavender oil could be a great investment to help you unwind after a stressful day.
3. Chill Out With Your Pet Pooch!: Studies have found that dog owners are consistently less stressed than non-dog owners for a number of reasons. Dogs need exercise and so you can get outside and exercising through taking your dog for a walk. In addition to this, it can be nice just to have a non-judgemental furry friend around when you’re having a lousy stressful day!
2. Get A Massage: Studies suggest that massage can be great in fighting stress by loosening off the tight muscles and promoting body image. In addition to this, the calming environment, smells of massage oils and gentle music are all associated with de-stressing the body and so next time you’re feeling tight, treat yourself to a massage to see if it helps your stress levels.
1. Find What Works For You: Stress affects people differently and so different techniques will be effective for some but not others. Some may find natural remedies to stress may work while others may need to exercise, or have a cup of tea to de-stress. Doing something you enjoy is most important whether than be taking the dog for a walk, or having a nap. Experiment to see what works best for you in relaxing yourself and de-stressing!
We hope these 10 tops tips will help you reduce some of the stress in your life but remember to find what works for you and keep your stress levels to a minimum for an overall happier, healthier lifestyle.