Stress and overworked? That’s one of the many issues that most people, especially the adults, are experiencing. Stress itself is very common and it is normal to become stressed sometimes, for as long as your body and mind copes fast and effectively. The reason why coping mechanism must take effect easily and fast is that when the body experiences too much and too long stress, your immune system becomes low. Immune system is our body’s defense towards harmful diseases, which means, without a strong immune system, our body is more prone to health issues.
That alone is a reason why avoiding stress should be a daily reminder. Though our daily lives cannot be predicted and situations that may cause stress can come in surprise, we need to do certain ways to at least eliminate the effect of stress. Relaxation is one of the best and most natural way to combat stress. These simple actions and techniques can help to reduce stress.
- Meditate. This will not only help lighten up your feeling, but also alter your brain’s neural pathways that will make you more resilient to stress.
- Breathe deeply. This is a very effective way to reduce stress immediately. Just take 5-minute break and focus on your breathing. Slowly inhale and exhale through your nose and feel the breath in your abdomen. This technique will clear your mind and improve your mood.
- Focus. When you’re feeling stressed, take time to spend your energy and attention into other things. Instead of magnifying the stress feeling, try to feel the more enjoyable moment, whether it’s the taste of the food you eat, or the rhythm of the music you are listening. If you spend your time in the moment and focus on it with your senses, you will feel less of the negative stressed feeling.
- Get moving. When you exercise, your brain releases feel-good chemicals that are effective to ease depression and anxiety. Just to the simple and easy way to move your body such as walking the stairs or stretching.
- Be grateful. A simple act of kindness through the feeling and gesture of gratitude can lighten emotion and swing the mood into the positive side.
- Listen to music. Music has a unique way of relieving stress. It can transform your mood immediately and listening to soothing music can lower blood pressure and heart rate.
- Go outside. The fresh air and new environment can help you get a fresh perspective on the problem you are dealing and reduce the stress experience.