Virtually any form of physical activity can act as a stress relief. Stress and anxiety can affect the way you breathe, which has flow effects on the way your body and mind feel. Breathing deeply a few times can help slow your breathing and heart rate, relax your muscles, and calm your mind. If you haven't tried mindfulness, meditation, or relaxation exercises yet, there's no better time to start.
Scientifically proven to help reduce and control stress, and promote mental well-being, these tools are useful when experiencing stress and as prevention tools when you feel good. There are many programs, websites, books, and apps to help you practice these exercises, including the free resources below. In addition to having physical health benefits, exercise has been proven to be a powerful stress reliever. Consider non-competitive aerobic exercise, strength with weights, or movement activities such as yoga or tai chi, and set reasonable goals for yourself.
Aerobic exercise has been shown to release endorphins, natural substances that help you feel better and maintain a positive attitude. Yoga combines physical movement, meditation, light exercise, and controlled breathing, all of which provide excellent stress relief. Beyond that, according to statistics, 75% of adults face moderate or high levels of stress for a few months, and 1 in 75 people experience panic disorder. Coloring books for adults have gained popularity, and for good reason, coloring can be a great stress reliever.
Honing your time management skills can allow you to minimize the stressors you experience and better manage those you can't avoid. Emerging research suggests that certain scents may alter brain wave activity and lower stress hormones in the body. Scientists say chemicals in freshly mown grass can help block the release of stress hormones in the brain. For example, those who exercise or meditate regularly tend to be less stressed in the face of a difficult challenge.
Squeeze a Stress Ball On days when you want to strangle a co-worker, roommate, or driver in the next lane, squeeze a stress ball instead. Elizabeth Scott, PhD is an award-winning author, workshop leader, educator and blogger on stress management, positive psychology, relationships and emotional well-being. Stress can appear when you feel overwhelmed by the number of tasks that need to be done or the deadlines that need to be met. Meditation and mindfulness require practice, but they can make a big difference to your overall stress level, as it takes you back to the present.
According to research, chewing a stick of gum also seems to reduce stress and anxiety, as well as improve mental performance during tasks. Therefore, it's important to create a lifestyle that helps you avoid stress and meet challenges in a healthy way. Aromatherapy has real stress-relieving benefits and can help you feel energized, more relaxed, or more present in the moment. Significant research has been done on the use of mindfulness-based stress reduction for stress management and reduction.
