Our bodies are designed to experience stress and react to it. Stress can be positive, by keeping us alert and ready to avoid danger, but it can also be negative. Stress becomes a problem when we face continuous challenges without a moment to relax in between them. As a result, we become overworked and stress-related tension builds. Stress symptoms may be affecting your health, even though you might not realize it. Stress can lead to physical symptoms including headaches, upset stomach, elevated blood pressure, chest pain, and problems sleeping. Symptoms can affect your body, your thoughts and feelings, and your behavior. Being able to recognize common stress symptoms can give you a jump on managing them. Stress that’s left unchecked can contribute to health problems, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity and diabetes. We all have crazy busy lives that sometimes can get too stressful so it’s important to take a step back, breath deeply and relax. Here are some ways to distress when you are always on the go!
Naturally de-stress
- Devote yourself completely to one task only: Instead of being in a stressful task-switching state of mind, take your next task, let everything else go, and just be in the moment with this one task. Let yourself be immersed in this task by letting go of the feeling that you need to quickly rush through it. The next task will still be there waiting for you.
- Take brief walk outside: When things are getting really stressful, take 5-10 minutes and walk to clear your mind. A short walk does wonders. It gives you something new to look at and gets your body moving, while getting vitamin D from the Sun.
- Get rid of untrue thoughts: You must learn a new way to think before you can master a new way to be. Behind every stressful feeling is an untrue thought. Before the false thought you weren’t suffering, but after the thought you began to suffer. When you recognize that the thought isn’t true, once again there is no suffering. When you change your thoughts, you change your life. So next time you catch a thought stressing you out, ask yourself is that really true?
- Make sure to eat healthy snacks throughout the day: Going for more than a few hours without a snack can cause your blood sugar levels to drop, and you’ll end up provoking stress. This way, even if you have to work through back-to-back meetings, you’ll be able to grab some nutritious fuel.
- Practice yoga: Yoga can help reduce stress because it promotes relaxation, which is the natural opposite of stress. Yoga can benefit three aspects of ourselves that are often affected by stress: our body, mind, and breathing.
- Reflect in a journal: Writing about anger, sadness and other painful emotions helps to release the intensity of these feelings. By doing so you will feel calmer and will be able to stay in the present.
- Share your feelings: You don’t have to feel alone in your plan to minimize the stress in your life. You’ll feel better about your feelings and less isolated if you’re able to openly and candidly speak about your stress to a friend or family member. Just having someone who will listen to your problems will help you minimize your level of stress by a ton.
- Reading is a fantastic way to relax, especially before bed: Try to shut off all the noise and visual stimuli in the hour before bed and take the time to read something. Reading is a great way to start your day and to feel sharp in the morning as well. Reading will not only improve your knowledge, but it will allow you to rest your body and quiet your mind as you focus on the material in front of you.
- Physical activity can act as a stress reliever: Being active can boost your feel-good endorphins and distract you from daily worries. Try to get 30 minutes to one hour of exercise at least three times a week. Activities can include running, sports, biking, and so many more.
- Sleep well: Having a healthy sleep schedule can go a long way in making you feel less stressed. If you get enough sleep, you’ll feel more control of your life during the day and will be more equipped to handle any responsibilities and challenges that come your way.
Stress is something that we don’t want to have in our lives. By incorporating these 10 tips into your routine, you will be able to manage your stress better and live a happy life. Don’t think that you can ever get rid of your stress, it’s about managing it better and taking control of the situation so that it doesn’t control you!
Stress can affect many aspects of your health and your body, mainly digestion. If this amazing conversation with Robynne Chutkan on The Ultimate Health Podcast she speaking on how your gut bacteria can change in response to stress!
