Stress is everywhere. And while a little of it can be beneficial, too much can negatively affect your mind and body. When unmanaged, it can become a culprit for acne, headaches, chronic pain, insomnia, decreased energy, frequent sickness, and many other symptoms.
Once you notice the glaring signs of being stressed, stop. Don’t wait until you reach the breaking point. It can be difficult to rise from rock bottom. Take time to unwind. This time, choose yourself over everything that engulfs you. Only when you have relaxed your mind and body can you face all your stresses with the best version of yourself.
Always remember that you deserve a break. If that’s not enough to convince you to relax, then perhaps a list of its benefits would. Here are what will happen to you overall when you choose to de-stress:
-It can improve your ability to concentrate. Stress can effectively overpower your focus, making it hard to complete even the simplest tasks. Relaxing is the easiest way to get your concentration back.
-It lessens your anger. When you’re stressed, your muscles may tense up. A massage or other relaxation techniques can help you loosen up.
-It reduces your fatigue. Stress can get in the way of your sleep, but relaxing can help you get a consistent good night’s rest.
-It improves your emotional well-being. High levels of stress hormones are responsible for reducing dopamine and serotonin in the body, leading to depression. Relaxing can significantly lower your cortisol levels.
-It improves digestion, especially for those with gastrointestinal disorders.
-It lowers blood pressure since when you relax, you tend to breathe slower; hence, slowing other body functions and lowering blood pressure overall.
-Relaxing can reduce inflammation so that you can fight off most of the common illnesses.
-Finally, it enhances your blood flow since it can help slightly widen your arteries. With an increased blood flow comes an increase of oxygen amount reaching your body tissues.
The benefits of stress cannot be understated. So, for the next part, let’s get on the best ways to chill:
Use breathing relaxation and visualize your calm
Your quickest access to relaxation is your breathing. Take five deep breaths, be conscious of the natural pauses you make between inhaling and exhaling, and there you have it. You may even close your eyes and imagine a calming place as you breathe deeply and slowly.
You can sit anywhere safe and quiet, then think of some places that make you feel most calm. For instance, you might think about the beach. Imagine all the sentient details associated with it—the taste, sound, sight, smell, and tactile details.
Write it down
Many people choose to get rid of things off their minds by writing their thoughts down. Whatever makes you feel stressed, jot it down. Don’t even worry about the spelling, grammar, or sounding right; focus on self-expression. If you’re not really into writing, you may choose to write one to two journal lines per day.
However, just as much you write about what stresses you, jot down the things you’re grateful for as well. This is because we’re inclined to focus on all that’s going wrong when we’re stressed. Have the mindset to acknowledge your triumphs too.
Get a massage
This option requires the least effort on your part. All you need to do is to drive to the massage spa, and then you can get your relaxing massage. It’s one quick way to help calm your nervous system, reduce your tensions, and stimulate blood circulation.
You can even go to a spa that offers many other treatments aside from massages, such as facials and body treatments. Having one or two spa treatments after a long day can really leave you feeling rejuvenated, relaxed, and with a new sense of purpose.
Treat yourself
After a long stressing day, why not treat yourself like you would to the people who are dear to your heart? Think of something important to you. If it’s eating your favorite food right now or going outdoors in nature, then do it. You can only give so much to others when you’re generous to yourself.
If you should go somewhere, nature can provide great stress relief. Even just a few minutes in nature can already de-stress you big time. So, whenever you feel stressed, don’t skimp on indulging yourself. Go out for a short walk outside or sit down. But if you live in a big city, studies have shown that simply looking at nature scenarios on a computer screen gives the same effect as being on the place itself.
Be so kind to yourself as to de-stress. Remember to get the best out of life when your mind and body are healthy and at ease.
