Stress is an unfortunate part of many
people’s lives. To some degree, stress can be a healthy reaction to real life
events. It’s normal to be stressed about stressful things. Anxiety is also
natural. But a lot of people experience a degree of stress that isn’t helpful
or healthy. Constant stress and anxiety with no letup can cause health problems, reduce your joy, and make
everything so much more difficult than it needs to be.
So, here are a few ways to dial back on the
amount of stress you experience so that you can get more out of your life.
Go Outside
The natural world can be a natural balm to
manmade stress. Studies have found that stress and anxiety levels fall when
we’re surrounded by nature and trees. Even the sun can be good for our mood,
because it boosts vitamin D levels which can make you feel happier.
Not only this, but when you take the time to
go outside, you’re often doubling it with another stress-busting activity.
Even just taking the time to go on a short
walk can give you time and space in a peaceful environment that doesn’t have
the same stressors and stimulants as the rest of the world. This forces you to
have a break and gives you the chance to exercise as well.
Get Moving
It might seem counterintuitive to say that
exercise is a stress reliever. After all, isn’t this just more time out of your
day to do something that isn’t exactly restful?
But stress relief isn’t just about sitting
around not doing anything. Our bodies need to move and, if you have a sedentary
job, the chances are that you don’t move enough. This can impact our physical
health, but also our mental health.
Exercise is proven to reduce stress. Some people work out
and distract themselves from what might be stressing them out. Playing sports
can be fun and lets you spend time with friends. Most people find that working
out allows them to achieve goals and feel an endorphin rush that is great for
their mental health.
Sleep Better
Another way to look after your body and your
mind is to think about your sleep schedule. Poor sleep and stress can act as a
positive feedback loop. No, this isn’t as cheerful as it might sound.
A lot of stress can impact your sleep
schedule, especially if you can’t sleep because you’re either too busy or your
mind won’t settle down at night. But sleep deprivation can in turn make you
more stressed and irritable. As you can imagine, this can get worse very
quickly.
But if you work to improve your sleep, you
can stop this cycle in its tracks. Make sure that you give yourself enough time
to sleep and make your bedroom a restful environment. Supplements like CBG gummies or herbal teas can help you get into
a relaxed state so you can sleep better.