With stress being a very common emotion in our life, it is likely you’re dealing with it on a daily basis. Although kicking off your shoes and slumping in front of the TV with a generous glass of wine might feel like an antidote, it doesn’t actually combat the damage stress causes. One of the best ways to reduce stress is to activate your body’s natural relaxation response – a calm and focused state that’ll get your breathing slowed right down and heart rate decreases. This also naturally decreases blood pressure and relieves muscle tension. Sadly, no amount of booze can quite achieve all of that, so hold off on your slothing until you’ve tried a couple of these stress-reducing strategies on for size.
Breath in, and out
Super simple, right? Just a couple of minutes of deep abdominal breathing reduces anxiety and stress. While this is best achieved in silence, if that bores you, turn up whatever takes your fancy! Muscle has been known for it’s relaxing and restorative effects.
Move it
The psychological benefits of exercise are well worth the effort! Everything from a stroll to a full body sweaty HIIT session. Not only does exercise lower our levels of stress hormones, but it also stimulates the production of lovely, mood-elevating endorphins.
Be a bookworm
One of the top tips to reduce stress is to become a bookworm! Books also beat out a lot of other stress busters and are known as one of the most effective ways to tame your tensions. Researchers found that it only took participants an average of six minutes to relax once they started turning the pages.
Call a friend
Talking things through help to get things off your mind, and lifts a weight off your shoulder. It also allows you to have another voice of reason, particularly regarding issues you pay be finding stressful at the time.
Hug it out
Hugs are known to lower levels of stress hormones. Psychotherapist, Virginia Satir, came up with the theory that; “we need four hugs a day for surviving, we need eight hugs a day for maintenance, and we need 12 hugs a day for growth”. Are you hitting your daily quota? Are you helping someone meet theirs?
Get arty!
Anything from colouring-in to knitting or painting has been known as a de-stressing pastime. Just forty-five minutes of creative activity has been proven to significantly lessen stress.
Brew a cuppa
There is nothing a cup of tea can’t fix. Peppermint tea, in particular, is a natural muscle relaxant, and don’t get you revved on caffeine.
Journal
Write it all down. Get it out of your head. Pen to paper is a great way to get all that’s going on in your mind, out onto paper. This makes room for more important things to enter your mind, such as, your weekend plans, what you’re making for dinner, or thinking of your friends. Writing it down also means you can refer back to this information at a later date when you might need to use the information.
Legs up the wall
Ever heard of that magic trick of lying on the ground with your legs resting up against the wall? One of the more efficient ways to naturally reduce stress. Some say it even relieves migraines! Give it a go, you might be surprised!
Grin and bear it
Our bodies have enormous sway when it comes to how we’re feeling, and a little bit of self-trickery can really knock the edge of your qualms. Smiling reduces stress, and makes you feel happier. So, grit your teeth and turn that frown upside down. You might even make someone else’s day brighter in the process.
Failing this, come on in and attend one of our Yoga classes, we run Yoga classes in North Brisbane every day so we can guarantee you’ll be able to make at least one of them!
