A Guide To Releasing Stress

Stress is unavoidable, and a little bit is even good for you. Small amounts of stress can motivate you to get things done and encourage you to strive for new goals, but it doesn’t take long before stress piles up and becomes seemingly unmanageable. Stress can lead to poor health, anxiety, depression, and the struggle to cope with day-to-day activities. There are things you can do, however, to release stress when it all starts to feel like too much to handle.

How to Release Stress

Stress can build up so quickly that it is hard to pinpoint exactly what started it all. Before you know it, you’re overwhelmed. With stress, it’s best to try a preventative approach: Eat balanced, healthy meals. Set goals for each day to be sure to get done what must be done. Try journalling or talking to a friend when you’re upset. Every once in a while check in with yourself and breathe. Laugh at least a little bit every day and be sure to get plenty of sleep.

When things get a little too intense, follow these steps to release stress:

Do Some Yoga and Stretch

Yoga demands focus on your body and your breath. The focus on breath slows down your heart rate and allows you to relax. The practice of yoga helps slow down your thoughts so you can focus on something other than your mind going a million miles a minute. Plus, yoga incorporates a lot of stretching exercises. Stretching alone increases blood flow to your muscles, which helps them to relax.

Go to the Gym

Exercise improves blood circulation, releases feel-good endorphins, reduces anxiety, and helps you sleep better at night. It also puts you in a better mood at the moment, gives you something to focus on other than being stressed out, and gives you more confidence to handle the rest of the day. Some gyms, like HOTWORX, combine sauna with yoga and fitness to create a detoxifying experience.

Try Aromatherapy

Certain scents have been scientifically proven to lower blood pressure, lift your mood, encourage relaxation, and even help cope with migraines. Try lavender oil to help you relax. Lemon can boost your mood. Peppermint can alleviate migraines. Sandalwood reduces anxiety, and chamomile helps you fall asleep. Lighting a candle can also help create a cozy environment to release stress in.

Go for a Nature Walk

Nature reminds you that there is something much bigger out there than the stress you are facing at the moment. However, simply walking is one of the best exercises you can do. It’s also a natural mood booster. The best part is that it’s easy. Nature walks aren’t about getting the heart rate up. They’re about getting the blood moving faster, feeling good, and relieving stress.

Listen to Music

Listening to music is a great way to take your mind off the stressful things in your life. Music can boost your memory, open creativity channels in your mind, lower blood pressure, and reduce anxiety. Choose upbeat music to boost your mood or soothing music to relax.