Stress can take a serious toll on your health and quality of life, causing tough days and sleepless nights. Stress also increases your risk of mental health problems, such as depression and anxiety. Read on for innovative and fun ways to tackle stress and boost your well-being.
Find fun ways to get physically fit
Exercise is a proven way to reduce stress. Getting your heart pumping helps work off nervous energy. Plus, physical movement boosts feel-good endorphins in your brain, enhancing your mood. On top of the mental health perks, exercise also has physical benefits. It can improve muscle tone, balance, flexibility, and coordination. That said, even if you know the advantages, it can sometimes be hard to motivate yourself to move.
The key to success is finding a form of exercise you love. If you hate running, don't force yourself to go on a jog or drag yourself onto the treadmill. Look for fun ways to get your blood pumping, such as dancing or Zumba. You might also consider outdoor activities like hiking. Group exercise classes are another great option. Working out with other people will help you stay motivated and help hold you accountable.
Working out while socializing has other benefits as well. Being socially connected is good for your mental health, reducing the risk of concerns like loneliness and depression. Grab a workout friend and you'll kill two birds with one stone by socializing and exercising together! You don't need fancy gym equipment to get the job done. Healthline provides a list of partner workouts you can do with minimal equipment.
Revamp your home and create a calming space
Your home is your sanctuary, a place where you can go at the end of the day to unwind and relax. You want to ensure you feel at ease there. If you don't, it may be time to renovate or redecorate. Start with your bedroom. The average adult is supposed to get about seven hours of sleep a night. Creating a soothing space where you get your Z's can improve sleep quantity and quality, which is great for mental health.
When redesigning your bedroom, focus on encouraging serenity. Take a five-senses approach. Start with sight and incorporate soothing colors, such as muted blues and pastels. Then, think about touch, adding soft bedding, cozy throw rugs, and plush pillows. For sound, get a white-noise machine that blocks extraneous sounds. And for scent, incorporate aromatherapy candles with relaxing scents like lavender.
Spend more time outdoors in nature
Spending time outside is proven to enhance emotional well-being. According to researchers, exposing yourself to natural scenery can sharpen cognitive skills and boost mental health. One study even showed that young people who spent more time in green spaces had a reduced risk of psychiatric issues like depression, eating disorders, and substance-use disorders later in life. It seems the impact of time outdoors is long-lasting.
If you have a garden, make sure to spend time there. You might plant a pretty flower bed or create a vegetable plot where you can grow your own fresh produce. This can be a rewarding way to get fresh air, soak in the sun, and enjoy nature. Setting up an outdoor reading nook is also a great way to encourage yourself to step outside.
If you don't have a green space at home, there are many other innovative ways to get in your outdoor time. Some ideas include riding a bike to and from work instead of driving, exercising outside instead of in a gym, and visiting a botanical garden. You might also take up a hobby that allows you to get into nature, such as birdwatching, geocaching, or nature photography.
Master some everyday stress-busting techniques
When stress arises, how do you handle it? Forming healthy habits in reaction to stress can go a long way in making everyday life and the hurdles it presents more manageable. First, eliminate unhealthy reactions to stress, such as smoking. Although this activity may seem calming, it actually increases physical symptoms of stress such as heart rate and blood pressure. It's also not good for your health in general, so there's no time like the present to quit!
Then, look for healthier ways to combat stress that you can incorporate easily into everyday life. Meditation is a great example. This is an activity that you can do pretty much anytime, anywhere. If you have a set of headphones, you can put on a guided meditation or soothing music to take you out of the moment. There are many tools for beginners available that explain how to effectively meditate.
If you find meditation isn't your thing, try simple breathing exercises instead. Focus on breathing in through your nose, holding the breath for a few seconds, and then exhaling through your mouth. Repeating this a few times can help bring your heart rate down and reduce stress. You might also try activities like stretching to reduce stress and calm your mind and body simultaneously.
It's impossible to eliminate every source of stress from your life, however, you can change the way you react to and deal with it.
GUEST ARTICLE: Sophie Letts created Meditation Help to help others explore the practice of meditation and dispel meditation myths. Her resources help people connect with their bodies, calm their minds, and embrace their true selves. Sophie has been practicing meditation for five years, which has improved her ability to focus and reduced feelings of anxiety.