Seven ways to prevent stress from creeping into your life
Unfortunately, stress is a part of life. And for many if us, there’s no way around it. However, that doesn’t mean you need to remain a prisoner to living with it.
The way you deal with stress can significantly impact how you react to it. So by learning how to prevent and better manage stress can make a big difference to how much stress impacts your mental and physical health, as well as your happiness and relationships.
To help you, here are seven tried and stress prevention suggestions you can try to minimise stress – or at least help you cope with it better.
1) Exercise
Regular exercise is one of the best ways to prevent stress from creeping into your life, for many reasons.
One reason is that exercise releases a chemical called endorphins, which are known to increase happiness and reduce stress and pain. Exercising for at least 30 minutes a day is a great way to get your body moving and forget about the natural stressors in your life.
Another reason is that regular exercise keeps your body healthy, which will help reduce health-related problems, which are stressful themselves.
If you’re new to exercising, you can start out by simply walking. All you need is a pair of athletic shoes, comfortable apparel, and a running belt to store your phone and keys.
2) Yoga
Another active way to reduce stress is by practicing yoga. Yoga can be practiced anywhere, such as a gym, a class, your bedroom, or even by the beach.
Practicing yoga will allow you to focus on your breathing, thoughts, and spirituality. Whether you download a yoga app on your phone or decide to enroll in yoga classes, this mind-body practice will allow you to take a deep breath and relax, even during your most stressful times.
3) Essential oils
Used properly, essential oils can be a great way to reduce stress and anxiety. Aromatherapy uses natural plant extracts to heal the mind, body, and spirit and has been practiced for thousands of years.
Going back to your roots and practicing this ancient technique will help ease the moments when panic sets in. Roll-on essential oils can easily be stored in your purse, pocket, or desk at work to use when you’re on the go and you feel stress creeping up on you.
4) Meditation
Meditation is another mind-body practice that will allow you to internalize the stressors in your life and release them through mindfulness, deep breathing, and relaxation.
To practice meditation or mindfulness, allow your thoughts and feelings to pass through your mind like clouds in the sky. By letting your thoughts and feelings flow through you, you’ll be able to let go of those stressful moments without overthinking and causing more anxiety.
5) Journal
Sometimes all you need to do to release stress is by writing all of your thoughts down on paper.
Journaling allows you to express yourself with no judgment and no consequences, as the only person who has access to your journal is you. So grab a pen and a piece of paper and start writing. You may feel the weight get lifted off your shoulders the moment you begin.
6) CBD
CBD is a new wellness trend. CBD is a cannabinoid found in the marijuana plant and has non-psychoactive properties that make this substance accepted by the federal government.
With its therapeutic qualities, CBD can help reduce your anxiety, as well as pain and inflammation. You can even find CBD infused in lotions, face masks, water, and more. Find out more about CBD here.
7) Get outdoors
If you’re looking for a cheap and easy way to prevent stress from consuming you, the answer is right outside your window.
The great outdoors will not only reduce your stress levels and help you relax, being outside will also improve your brain function and fill your body with necessary vitamins such as vitamin D.
And if you don’t want to wander around the park or forests alone, ask friends and family to tag along, or join a meetup group. Surrounding yourself with positive, like-minded people is another way to manage anxiety and stress.
What stress-relief strategies work for you?
No one likes being stressed. Not only does it feel pretty miserable, but chronic stress can also lead to a variety of health-related issues, such as high blood pressure, problems with eyesight, and more.
So find the stress-relief strategy that works best for you and start using it to help you manage your stress levels.
