Are you dealing with a lot of emotional stress? Is it affecting you physically or mentally?
If so, it is time to stop dealing with your stress, and start taking action to reduce it once
and for all.
Even though stress is common, that doesn’t mean it is normal. There is a reason
doctors ask if you are stressed when you go in for other ailments – because of closely
linked stress is to your physical and emotional health. The first thing you can do to help reduce your stress is to start daily rituals, which include various habits that are good for your mind and body.
Focus on Getting Good Sleep
Sleep is an integral part of being a healthy, energized, and well-adjusted person. It can
also deeply affect the amount of stress you have. If you already have a good deal of
stress, not sleeping is only going to make it worse. It is possible that you are struggling
falling asleep or getting quality sleep because of your stress, which then causes sleep
deprivation, more stress, and the cycle continues.
Stop the cycle now by first focusing on getting good sleep, whether that means shutting
off your phone at night, starting a new nighttime routine, or trying natural sleep aids.
Using essential oils like Lavender and Roman Chamomile in a diffuser next to your bed
to relax you and make it easier to fall asleep. That should hopefully help a little with
reducing the daily stress you are dealing with.
Eat Nutritious Foods
You probably already know that having a healthy diet is important for weight
management, reducing your risk of heart disease and stroke, and even keeping away
diabetes. It can also be tremendously helpful if you deal with daily stress.
You can’t always do much about the stress that hits you eat day from unexpected
sources, but you can reduce it and help manage it by eating a healthy diet of fruits and
vegetables, lean meats, healthy fats, and whole grains and fiber. A well-balanced diet
provides the nutrients your body and mind need to handle stress as it comes.
Go Outside Whenever You Can
Being outside is wonderful for your mind, body, and spirit. For your body, you will get
both fresh air and vitamin D, both of which are really important to help reduce your
stress levels. Being outside can bring you motivation and inspiration, help you relax and
unwind, and give you an opportunity to be in nature and understand that the things you
are stressed about are really not that big of a deal in the grand scheme of things.
Eat outside during your lunch break, take your dogs on an extra walk, play in the
backyard with your kids. There are so many ways to spend more time outdoors, and
your stress will be naturally reduced each day as a result.
Trade in Your Coffee for Tea
Caffeine is unfortunately going to make your stress worse as it can increase the stress
hormone cortisol. If you drink a lot of caffeine from coffee or soft drinks, now is a great
way to reduce it. You don’t have to give it up completely but try switching to tea for at
least one of your cups of coffee each day. Then gradually increase how much low
caffeine or no-caffeine beverages you have that are replaced with the caffeinated
beverages.
Reduce Technology and Social Media
Have you ever noticed that your stress is worse on days when you spend a lot of time
on Instagram or Facebook? This is because social media rarely has good news. Most of
the time, it causes stress whether from the latest tragedy in your city or state, political or
religion debates, or just drama with people you know in your life or that you work with.
Social media can be really toxic and doesn’t help someone who is already dealing with
a good deal of stress. Now is the perfect time to start cutting back on using Facebook,
Twitter, Instagram, and any other social media sites you frequent.
Have a Nighttime Self-Care Routine?
Self-care is amazing for you and can really help you to relax each day. If you have a lot
of stress at work or home, give yourself a few minutes every evening that are just for
you. Listen to calming music, meditate, practice mindfulness, write in your journal, draw
or paint, take a bath, or just do anything that relaxes you and helps you feel at peace.
