Stress is your body’s natural reaction to being put in a demanding situation. Some stress is good like the feeling you get when you’re trying to get a promotion or the excitement you feel when you’re on a first date. Some stress is common like when you’re up against a deadline at work or have to deal with an issue with your kids at school. Yet, when stress becomes chronic (meaning you’re faced with it on a daily basis), it can wreak havoc on your mind and body.
Chronic Stress Kills
Unfortunately, there are lots of people today that experience chronic levels of stress. Their lives are so hectic or their circumstances are so dire that their bodies are literally in a fight or flight state all the time. That’s likely why stress is called the silent killer. The only way to ensure this doesn’t happen to you is to learn how to effectively manage the stress in your life. Here are a few suggestions on how to manage stress regularly.
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle – Stress really takes a toll on your body which is why it is important for you to stay healthy. This means eating a well-balanced diet, exercising, and getting enough rest each night.
- Meditate – When your mind is inundated with the stress going on in your life it’s hard to let go and it keeps you in a panicked, fearful, or overwhelmed state. Meditating daily can help you to refocus your energies naturally reducing your stress. For five or ten minutes a day, find a quiet place to practice meditation.
- Get Outside – Whether you know it or not, staying cooped up indoors can dampen your mood. Whenever you can, it’s a good idea to get outside. Even if it’s just ten minutes a day, breathing in the fresh air and taking in vitamin D from the sun can improve your mood greatly.
- Get a Massage – Chronic stress can lead to serious body aches. You can help to get rid of all that tension and boost your mood by having a massage. Locate a salon that has a plethora of services, portable or stationary massage tables, and other amenities to get you in a relaxed state.
- Listen to Music – Do you love jamming to music? Music has a way of regulating your mood. So, if you’re stressed try turning on some upbeat music with positive lyrics to get your spirits back up.
- Unplug – Staying connected has become a common trend in today’s digital society, but it’s not always good for you. When you’re constantly glued to your phone it can actually stress you out. Reading about negative current events, comparing your life to others on social media, and accessing other emotionally-draining content keeps you down. For an hour a day, if you can, try unplugging from technology.
Stress is your body’s natural way of responding to circumstances that happen in life. Though stress can be a great motivator and a very common feeling considering the life most people lead, it can also kill if you’re not careful. If you want to keep your mental health intact and avoid serious consequences like burning out, a weakened immune system, weight gain, sleep problems, heart disease, and more, it is imperative to use tips like these above to find ways to combat stress and recenter your mind and body.