Bharat SainiLast Updated on September 19, 2017 by Bharat Saini
Stress is unfortunately something in life that we cannot avoid. The best way to handle stress is not to avoid it, but to tackle it head on. If you don’t treat stress then it can lead to serious mental and physical problems. However, with the right strategies in place you can help manage stress whether it’s related to home or work life.
Here are 8 top ways to help you cope with high levels of stress.
1. Take physical exercise
When it comes to exercise, you don’t need to power lift or train for a marathon. A short amount of exercise can reap huge benefits. Just by standing up and having a stretch or talking a short brisk walk can help alleviate stress. By getting your blood moving your body will release endorphins which helps improve your mood.
2. Practice mindfulness
Mindfulness has become a popular idea in modern psychotherapy. Mindfulness is a mental state that is achieved by focusing your attention on the present moment, acknowledging your feelings, thoughts and bodily sensations. If you find it hard practicing mindfulness on your own, then perhaps consider joining a class.
3. Try to get better sleep
There are some things you can do in the evening to help get a better night’s sleep. Try turning down the lights or switching the TV off earlier. Basically, give yourself time to relax before you go to bed. A restful night’s sleep is probably one of the best ways to cope with strong feelings of stress and should not be underestimated.
4. Concentrate on breathing
Controlling your breath is one of the most tried and tested ways to help your mind and body relax. The trick is to breathe in and out slowly and deeply. Whilst you are doing this you should concentrate on your lungs as they fully expand your chest. The reason you should do this is that deep breathing helps pump blood around the body, helping your mind to clear itself. On the other hand shallow breathing can only lead to stress.
5. Speak to a friend
The best way to get troubling issues off your chest that lead to stress is to share them with your closest friends. A reassuring voice can help calm you and can do wonders for your stress levels. Strong relationships with friends really are key to any healthy lifestyle.
6. Listen to some music
Listening to some relaxing music can help when you feel overwhelmed by stressful situations. You can even listen to ocean or nature sounds as these can be just as relaxing as classical music for example! Playing calm sounds and music can lower blood pressure and has a positive effect on the body and brain.
7. Have a good diet
When situations get on top of you it can be easy to reach for snack foods as an instant way to lift our mood. However most snacks are high in fat and sugar and can do more harm than good. To avoid eating these it’s best to plan ahead. Be sure to stock up on fruit and vegetables, as well as fish, like tuna. This is good brain food that will help you feel generally more positive about yourself.
8. Talk to yourself
There may be times when you won’t want to speak with a friend about the problems you are having. In cases like these you may want to talk out what you are experiencing with yourself. Sometimes just saying things aloud can help you acknowledge how you are feeling and cope better with stressful situations.
Thanks to the https://theworsleycentre.com/ for supplying this guest post.
