Stress is a feeling that people have when they are overloaded and struggling to cope with demands. These demands can be financial, work, relationships, and other situations.
Stress can be a motivator. The "fight-or-flight" mechanism can tell us when and how to respond to danger. However, if this mechanism is triggered too easily, or when there are too many stressors at one time, it can affect a person's mental and physical health and can become harmful.
Each person responds to stress in a different way, but too much of it can lead to serious health problems.
Here are simple ways to reduce your stress:
1. Exercise
Regular exercise can help lower stress and anxiety levels by releasing endorphins, chemicals that help improve mood and act as natural painkillers. Taking a short break like a walk around the office or standing up to stretch can offer immediate relief in a stressful situation.
2. Sip a cup of tea
A large dose of caffeine causes a short- term spike in blood pressure. Try drinking green tea instead of coffee and energy drinks. Green tea has less caffeine than coffee and contains healthy antioxidants and amino acids that have a calming effect on the nervous system.
3. Listen to music
Take a break and listen to relaxing music. Playing calm music has positive effects on the brain and body, it can help lower blood pressure, heart rate, as well as stress hormones. Slow-paced instrumental music, nature or ocean sounds can induce relaxation.
4. Laugh it off
Laughter releases endorphins that improve mood and decrease levels of the stress-causing hormones. It helps relieve stress by bringing more oxygen into your body, relieves tension by relaxing your muscles, and it tricks the brain into making you happy.
5. Talk to a friend
Social support from friends and family can help you get through stressful times and lower your risk of anxiety. When you're feeling stressed, take a break and talk to a friend about your problems.
A study found out that men and women with the fewest social connections are more likely to suffer depression and anxiety.
6. Take deep breaths
Deep breathing activates the relaxation response of the body. It oxygenates your blood, helps you center your body, and clears your mind. Breath in and out slowly and deeply, concentrating on your lungs as they expand fully in your chest.
Stress is a part of life that sometimes it is unavoidable, but that does not mean you should ignore it. Untreated stress can pose serious physical and mental health problems. Though in many cases, stress is manageable. It just takes some patience and few useful strategies to reduce it, whether it's family stress, relationship or work.
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