Everyday life presents stress, no matter your age. Balancing work, family, and your commitments can easily be overwhelming and stressful. Taking time to relax and unwind can boost not only your mental health but your physical health as well. These tips will help you to deal with your stress and live a happy and fulfilling life.
Get Moving
It has been proven that exercising is a de-stresser. It gets your heart rate up, gets your blood flowing, and takes your mind off of what is stressing you out. The exercise doesn’t have to be strenuous; just taking a walk around the block for a few minutes can have a huge impact on your stress level and well-being. Exercise helps to relax you and improve your mood. Nutrition goes hand in hand with this; eating healthy and feeling good are key to living a stress free life.
Eat a Well Balanced Diet
Make sure the foods that you eat will fuel and nourish your body. These foods will keep you alert and your whole body will feel better. Fruit, vegetables, whole grains, lean meat, and protein will fuel your body and give you the energy you need. Eating processed and sugary foods can lead to that sluggish and tired feeling. Make sure not to skip meals, that can lead to changes in mood.
No Social Media
If you are feeling stressed out, being on social media can sometimes make things worse. People only show the best on social media, and looking at other peoples (seemingly) perfect lives can trigger even more stress. Comparing your life and yourself to others on social media is toxic and can breed feelings of inadequacy. Taking a break from social media can help you with your feelings of stress.
Meditation or Deep Breathing
Deep breathing exercises are a great way to decompress and relax. Find a quiet area, sit down, close your eyes, and picture “a happy place”. Think of that place, and breathe in and out a few times. Taking your mind away from whatever is stressing you out even for a few moments will help you to relax and de-stress.
Do Something That Makes You Happy
It is important to find happiness in life’s small pleasures. Rewarding yourself with small things like a chocolate after your big work presentation, and having something to look forward to at the end of a long week, like a date night with your spouse, will do wonders for your stress. When you can think of something that makes you happy, that will help to take your mind off of whatever is stressing you out. Make time for your hobbies and do things that fulfill you.
Get Enough Sleep
Getting 7-8 hours of sleep per night can not only help with your stress levels, but helps with your well-being and mood. The bad feelings you have when you are stressed out can feel a lot worse when you are exhausted from lack of sleep.
It is possible to balance it all and live a stress-free life. Devote time every day to exercise, eat healthy, and try to limit social media. Getting enough sleep, using deep breathing exercises, and making time for things that you enjoy will do wonders for your emotional well-being. Using these tips will help you de-stress and feel more relaxed and happy.
Amy is an writer and editor. A mom of girls who loves shopping, reading, and lots of coffee. She has a bachelor’s degree in english literature. Her dream is to become a successful and well-known writer.
