Four simple ways that can help you reduce stress!
We live in a world where stress has become an unavoidable part of life. Everyone experiences stress of some sort, be it related to education, professional life, personal life, or even thinking about what the future holds for us. Stress can lead to major mental and cardiovascular health issues. Eliminating stress is not possible, but managing it well is something everyone should do to ensure they live a long and healthy life. While the detriments of stress are almost uncountable, there are many merits of managing stress, such as:
- Lower stress levels increase the release of endorphins, often called ‘feel-good’ chemicals
- It decreases odds for stress and depression-related diseases such as heart disease and alzheimer’s
- Helps controls cholesterol and glucose levels
- Decelerates aging
- Creates mental well being
- Helps lower blood pressure
The health benefits of managing stress are numerous, but achieving lower stress levels is not as easy as it sounds. So, now we are going to learn a few lifestyle hacks which will help you manage stress in your day to day life;
1. Get a good amount of sleep
Ensuring that you get an adequate amount of sleep regularly is very important. Good quality of sleep is essential as it relates to emotional well being. While we sleep, our body builds our immune system, digests our food, and has several crucial functions to perform. Lack of sleep might result in inefficiency in performing all these processes. Sleep research recommends that it is essential for adults to get between 7 and 9 hours of sleep.
2. Take part in physical activity
Engaging in physical activity reduces the risk of depression and stress. When you work out for 20-30 mins, including moderate to high-intensity training, your body’s biochemical system releases hormones (endorphins, serotonin and dopamine) that enhance your mood. Staying active is simple; you can go for a walk, jog, or join a dance class. There is a vast array of options available to keep busy.
3. Adopt a pet
Interacting with animals has shown to reduce stress hormones cortisol and also lower blood pressure. If you have a pet at home, social support increases and reduces the feeling of loneliness. Having a pet in your home is a huge mood enhancer, as these cute furballs can bring a lot of joy to a human’s life. If you feel like your days are becoming stressful, get a four-legged companion for yourself; they will surely enhance your mood. The best part about having a pet in the 21st century is that you can quickly sign up for pet insurance to take care of your vet and medication expenses in case of any medical emergency.
4. Plan your day
Being prepared for the entire day is a great way to avoid stress, and you can easily do this by planning beforehand. Every night you can list down all the essential things you need to do the next day, or you can make this list first thing in the morning. Make sure, to be honest in how much work you can complete so you don’t get stressed if you are unable to tick everything off. It is essential to start with small goals, and once you make it a habit you can modify your planning to suit your way. Working around a routine while maintaining a balance between personal and professional brings in a sense of accomplishment and contentment, reducing stress levels.
The four things mentioned above will help you to lead a healthy stress life. We as humans must learn to truly enjoy small wins, laugh hard, have fun, and most of all try to live a relatively carefree life.
