Virtually any form of physical activity can act as a stress relief. Even if you're not an athlete or out of shape, exercise can be a good stress relief. Physical activity can stimulate endorphins and other natural neural chemicals that improve your sense of well-being. Certain habits can promote resilience to stress, as well as increase overall well-being.
For example, those who exercise or meditate regularly tend to be less stressed in the face of a difficult challenge. A simple routine can help lower cortisol levels, blood pressure and heart rate. One of our favorite 10-minute routines is Tara Stiles. This routine starts with a lot of relaxing swinging.
The 4-7-8 breathing method is a powerful trick that gives your body an extra boost of oxygen. Deep breathing is an effective way to reduce anxiety, stress and depression. Excessive stress is a common problem. Here are 15 effective ways to relieve stress and anxiety.
Stress is a natural and normal part of life, but sometimes you just need to relax. We've compiled a list of the top 10 ways to relieve stress. When you're stressed, getting playful may be the last thing on your mind. But having sex is actually a great way to relieve tension and relieve stress.
Sex lowers blood pressure, increases self-esteem, and increases feelings of intimacy with your partner. It can also help you sleep better, which is a big benefit when you've spent sleepless nights stressed by problems. Problem-centered coping involves taking steps to eliminate the stressor from your life (rather than changing how you feel about the stressor). Hosted by Editor-in-Chief and Therapist Amy Morin, LCSW, this episode of The Verywell Mind Podcast shares how you can change your mindset to cope with stress in a healthy way.
Learn about the many ways stress can affect your health, from headaches to high blood pressure to trouble sleeping. If you're feeling more stressed than usual, evaluate your rest from the night before and try going to sleep a little earlier or taking a nap at noon to refresh your brain. According to research, chewing a stick of gum also seems to reduce stress and anxiety, as well as improve mental performance during tasks. Sometimes, stress can manifest itself in physical symptoms, such as temporary hives, one-day headaches, or long-term weight gain.
But now that we're no longer in direct danger from the hunt for our next meal, stress is more likely to be triggered by non-life-threatening experiences, such as problems at work or family annoyances. Once using your sensory toolbox becomes a habit, try simply imagining vivid sensations when stress hits you. Elizabeth Scott, PhD is an award-winning author, workshop leader, educator and blogger on stress management, positive psychology, relationships and emotional well-being. If you constantly think things like, “I don't have time for this, and I can't stand it, you'll get stressed out.” EFT tapping is an alternative treatment that uses acupressure to restore balance to the body and reduce feelings of pain or distress.
Routine exercise can help improve the way the body uses oxygen and cope with stressful situations.
