Millions of individuals suffer from stress and while some people can handle stress, others find a hard time coping.
The way we live our lives and the small habits we unknowingly engage in all contribute to stress in some way and the first step to managing stress better is to make subtle lifestyle changes that will help us let go.
Stress can affect our health and our lives in many ways:
- Increases chances of high blood pressure
- Affects our mood
- Contributes to heart disease
- Causes weight gain that could lead to obesity and diabetes
- Leads to depression and anxiety
It’s difficult to imagine a world without stress, but there are some ways we can fix it. Don’t let this unnecessary feeling take over your health and mood and take control of your life.
Lifestyle Changes to Improve Stress Management
While stress is a part of life, there are ways we can combat this feeling and improve stress management to protect our overall health starting now.
1. Maintain a regular workout routine
Exercise is a great way to help you let go of all the day-to-day tension and stress you might be surrounding yourself with.
While the endorphin-boosting effects of exercise will leave you in a better mood, being able to release negative energy and channel your stress in something else will also contribute to better stress management in the future.
2. Surround yourself with a support system
Having people in your life that support you and help you unwind from a long day at work or school will go a long way in helping you relax and de-stress.
Knowing that you can be yourself and talk to your friends and family about anything can boost your mental well-being and can also leave you with helpful advice when you need it.
3. Eat regular and healthy meals
Eating regular and healthy meals during the day can contribute to reducing stress and may even help you avoid it. Load up on fruits and veggies and avoid eating junk food when you are feeling emotional.
This way you can maintain your healthy weight and not feel extra guilty for eating empty calories just because you’re stressed out.
4. Establish a nighttime routine
Avoid rushing your nighttime routine only to crash into bed. Practice being mindful of your routine to help you unwind and relax from the long and stressful day.
A good recommendation is to take an Epsom salt bath at night to promote relaxation and help you sleep easy. It is important that you get ample hours of sleep, preferably eight hours, in order to perform better and combat stress.
5. Make time for activities you enjoy
You need time to focus on yourself. Make you a priority and take the time to engage in the activities that bring you joy. Whether it’s a yoga class or simply painting a calming picture, take the time during your day or week to do it.
Being able to take a step back and do the things you love does a lot of good to your mental well-being, and therefore, helps you reduce a good amount of stress that you might be holding on to.
A Few Extra Helpful Tips:
- Manage your time
- Accept what you cannot change
- Keep your goals and expectations realistic
- Try to be more tolerant and forgiving
- Stop comparing yourself to others
- Have fun!
The content of this Website is for informational purposes only, is general in nature and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and does not constitute professional advice. The information on this Website should not be considered as complete and does not cover all diseases, ailments, physical conditions, or their treatment. You should consult with your physician before beginning any exercise, weight loss, or health care program and/or any of the beauty treatments.
References:
Lindberg, S. (2018, August 27). 9 Little Things You Can Do to Cut Down on Stress. Retrieved from http://stylecaster.com/beauty/how-to-prevent-stress/
Lifestyle Changes for More Effective Stress Management. (2015, January 24). Retrieved from https://counseling.oregonstate.edu/main/lifestyle-changes-more-effective-stress-management
