Stress can be both helpful and harmful, and it is common in life. Like anything else, too much stress—whether good or bad—can be a problem. It helps people adapt and grow. For example, feeling anxious about an exam can help improve focus and encourage studying hard to succeed. After the exam, this pressure lessens, allowing focus on other tasks. If you’re feeling stressed, there are many ways to relax. Feeling stressed? Here are some ways to wind down.
Feeling Stressed? These Are Several Ways to Wind Down
- Candles – Lighting a candle after a long day can help ease one into a state of relaxation. There’s actually a thing called scent memory. For example if every time you smell coconut lime verbena it reminds you of your cruise last year in the Bahamas, then try lighting a candle with similar characteristics that smell like the happier or happiest times in your life.
- Exercise – Exercising has been scientifically proven to release endorphins and serotonin. These are happy hormones that make us feel more relaxed, less stressed, and at ease. On top of those benefits you’re also burning calories, lowering risk of heart disease and high blood pressure as well as lowering your cholesterol. Runner’s high is a real thing!
- Meditate – Meditation can provide numerous health benefits. It helps lower blood pressure. Cholesterol. Release endorphins and so much more. You don’t even need to do it for long. Meditating for as little as five minutes can give you the stress relief you need right when you need it most. A lot of us meditate everyday and we don’t even realize it. Just find a focal point on your body to concentrate on such as your breath, or heart beat. You can even meditate with your eyes open while focusing on one thing.
- Breath Work – Breath work is very beneficial. Taking deep breaths “trick” your mind into believing that everything is calm and that there’s nothing to worry about. The way you hold your breath, in hale, and release your breath all play a part into the results you’re looking to achieve as well. There’s breath work for stress, energy, and even breathwork for kicking bad habits! Give it a try and have a great nights sleep or a great start to your morning.
“Taking deep breaths “trick” your mind into believing that everything is calm and that there’s nothing to worry about.”
There are many more ways to ease the mind of a stressful day, week, or month. It’s always the small things that make a huge difference. Try a little at a time and gradually work your way up to a nice healthy stress relieving habit.