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We’ve all felt a little stressed at some point in our life. Stress can be brought on by many different events in our lives that leave us feeling anxious or uncomfortable. Work, relationships, and finances are common stressors we may find nearly impossible to escape. Stress is both mentally and physically hard on our body. Chronic stress is linked to depression, insomnia, high blood pressure, panic attacks, stomach problems, and sometimes sexual dysfunction. The best way to combat stress is to address the causes of our stress. However, some things are out of our control and the best way to handle them is to manage how we react to them. Finding healthy ways to reduce stress is important for both our mental and physical health. Below are 5 healthy ways to reduce stress and anxiety.
When life gets hectic and your stress levels surge, working out can be a great avenue for sweating out your frustrations. Physical activity reduces stress by increasing your endorphin levels, the chemicals that are made by the body naturally to cope with pain or stress. Exercise also lowers a hormone called cortisol, which increases with stress and causes harmful effects to your body. Stress can lead to a loss of sleep which in turn can make your stress and anxiety worse. Regular exercise will help you sleep better at night, therefore helping reduce any stress and anxiety due to lack of sleep. Plus, exercise gives you time to yourself to focus on your wellbeing or get lost in your own thoughts. Time away from your normal life and your stressors can help you better address your problems when you return to them. Walking, running, yoga, and weightlifting are all great forms of exercise that will benefit your health in multiple ways.
Ashwagandha is a plant native to India that has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for hundreds of years. Also called Indian ginseng, ashwagandha is said to fight disease and reduce the physical effects of stress on the body.Studies have shown that ashwagandha reduces stress and depression and improves sleep in some people. It’s a natural supplement that can be taken in pill or powdered form and added to yogurt or smoothies. Ashwagandha Pills from Hot Bod Nutrition combine potent ashwagandha and black pepper for natural stress relief. They can be taken as a dietary supplement for long term benefits in reducing stress and anxiety.
Meditation has long been a stress relieving practice for centuries. Meditation involves clearing the mind of all thoughts and worries to focus on the preferred reason for meditating. Some meditate for health, better sleep, or help in manifesting certain elements into their life. Meditation is a spiritual practice but has scientifically been proven to reduce stress in some people. Psychologists have found that meditation can rewire our brain and positively influence our biology. By learning to be more mindful through meditation, we can learn how to better handle stressful situations. We can become in control of our thoughts and emotions instead of the victims of them. Other benefits that have been associated with meditation include a stronger immune system, more peaceful state of mind, improved focus, and more.
In moderation, both coffee and some forms of alcohol, like wine, can have health benefits. However, if you are feeling stressed out, coffee and alcohol may make it worse. Coffee has caffeine which is a stimulant that gives us a boost of energy and even revs up our metabolisms. In small amounts it can improve your mood and act as the jolt you need to get you through your day. But too much caffeine will over stimulate your body and only contribute to your anxiety. If you notice that you feel jittery or anxious after drinking coffee or any type of caffeinated beverage, stop. Opt for lower caffeinated beverages like green tea or forgo caffeine altogether. While a glass of wine at night may seem to do the opposite for you (relax you as opposed to giving you a burst of energy) alcohol is a depressant that interferes with your serotonin levels. Serotonin is the chemical in our bodies that is responsible for making us feel happy. Alcohol consumption, especially in large quantities depletes our serotonin levels leaving us to feel more anxious and depressed. If you typically turn to alcohol to let loose and relieve stress, consider other alternatives.
Laughter is good for the soul and the immune system as it turns out. Laughing relaxes your mind and body, contributing to stress relief. When we find something funny, we are temporarily released from any stress or anxiety we may have. Laughter allows us to live in the moment and appreciate what is right in front of us. If you need a break from your daily life, turn on a sitcom or head to a comedy show. You’ll benefit even more from laughing with friends as social interaction can also help to relieve stress. Take a night off from your worries and enjoy a good laugh. You’ll be doing both your mind and body some good.
We all deal with stressful situations in our lives, sometimes they can’t be avoided. While we can’t control everything that happens to us, we can control how we react. By dealing with stress in healthy ways we set ourselves up for a better quality of life. While self-destructive behaviors or taking prescription medications might seem like the more tempting solution, they do us no good in the long run. The better we learn to deal with our stress and anxiety in more productive ways, the better we learn to navigate future situations that may arise. Focusing on your health and wellbeing will always be important in living a healthy, stress free life. Never feel guilty for taking time for yourself to work on your mental and physical health. You will benefit the world much more by being your healthiest, happiest self.
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