Stress is unavoidable in our day-to-day lives, with even the most relaxed of us being affected by it at work or at home. If it has started taking over your life then it’s time to fight back – read on to help you combat stress with some simple activities that anyone can do. Don’t let it get the better of you and take some time out to complete these tasks.
Yoga
A popular choice and for good reason: it works. Using a combination of breathing, stretching and meditation, yoga does wonders for stress, bringing balance back to your hormones. There’s a wide range of poses for people of all abilities and to fill the time you have, meaning that if there’s a gap in your schedule then it can be filled with yoga. It might feel foreign at first, says fitness magazine, but keep an open mind and simply focus on your breathing and stretching.
Exercise
Walking is both an escape and a way of releasing endorphins into your system, which increase your ‘happiness’ factor. Even a simple, short walk away from your desk can do you good if you’re feeling stressed. To further enhance this feel-good factor, all you need is a stylish new coat to stride out in and boost your confidence. Pea coats are the in thing for this spring, so have a look at eBay to see what colour and style takes your fancy. For even more of a natural high, consider full body activities such as swimming or cycling, which will give you a bigger buzz and even help you to sleep better too. Find a sport that you love and use it to release yourself from stress.
Meditation
The act of maintaining focus on one thought can have a huge benefit on your wellbeing. Best of all, the only equipment you need is a quiet area and comfy surroundings – you don’t need to sit cross-legged and hum. There’s plenty of help out there to get you started, so don’t be afraid if it seems intimidating. Psychology Today has some good advice on how to begin: close your eyes, focus on your breathing and nothing more, and let the stress melt away.
Listening to Music
There’s no doubt that music can help us unwind. Explore your tastes and find songs that really help you relax, whether it’s by bathing you softly in a calming beat or by helping you escape the real world for a while. Going a step further, the cliches like listening to whale song or ocean sounds really can have a positive effect on people and shouldn’t be counted out; you can even explore Youtube and find a soundscape that particularly resonates with you, even if it’s just a busy cafe.
Disconnect From the World
Sometimes you have to cut out whatever it is that is stressing you out. For many of us we’re in a constant state of connection: our phones, laptops and televisions keep us informed about what we have to worry about next. Just turn them off, put them down and walk away – you’re not a bad person for wanting to have a few hours to yourself void of responsibilities. This activity is best combined with one of the ones above for a true escape, but don’t let that deter you from just switching off every once in a while.
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