Nowadays, it’s tough not to get overwhelmed once in a while. Work, life, family, and other commitments can cause an incredible amount of stress. But, as we’ve previously shared in a post on Daily Positive Info, too much stress can have serious implications on your overall wellbeing, such as chronic fatigue, poor sleep, and a weak immune system.
This is why it’s essential to set aside time to take care of both your physical and mental health. Of course, lowering your stress levels is easier said than done, as stress has been pretty normalized by society. Luckily, you can learn how to effectively manage your stress by cultivating these four habits into your life!
Stress can stir up a storm in your head, but it can also cause damage to your body in general. Fortunately, meditation is a powerful tool for managing tension, as Yahoo Lifestyle reveals that mindfulness meditation can reduce your body’s inflammation response caused by stress. Moreover, research on the positive effects of meditation also indicates that it could improve symptoms of other stress-related conditions, like irritable bowel syndrome, fibromyalgia, and PTSD. To properly meditate, try doing it in the morning so you can start your day right. You can even use apps like Calm and Headspace to help your practice.
Exercise is not only good for your body, but it also keeps your mental wellbeing in shape. When exercising, your brain releases endorphins, which are hormones that make you feel happy and stress-free. Parsley Health claims yoga is one exercise you should do, as it can stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system — a part of the body that helps regulate heart rate. Moreover, yoga puts great emphasis on breathing techniques and stretching exercises, which you can incorporate in your daily life. But no matter what type of exercise you choose, it’s important to make it a regular part of your routine. Researchers from the University of British Columbia and the University of California suggest that you should exercise at least three times a week to reap the maximum benefits.
Minding your breathing can make all the difference when it comes to stress management. In fact, deep breathing is one of the best ways to conquer stress. This is because when you breathe deeply, a message is sent to your brain to calm down and rest. In turn, your brain sends the same message to your body, and your muscles start to relax. Eventually, typical stress symptoms like fast breathing, increased heart rate, and high blood pressure will start to decrease as you become more mindful of your breathing. Plus, it’s an easy method that you can practice almost anywhere.
As human beings, we are social creatures who need to be around other people for our wellbeing. Indeed, psychologist Susan Pinker notes that direct person-to-person contact can influence parts of the nervous system to release neurotransmitters that can regulate stress and anxiety. From shaking hands to giving someone a high-five, interacting with others triggers the release of oxytocin, which lowers cortisol levels and decreases stress. In other words, frequent contact with other people could help make us more resilient when experiencing stress