Stress is part of most people’s daily lives. According to statistics, 77% of people experience stress-related symptoms on a daily basis. These include headaches, insomnia and anxiety, weight gain and muscle aches and painfuls, crankiness and difficulty focusing.
Although it is impossible to completely eliminate stress, there are ways you can manage your symptoms. Learn why exercise is one of the best ways to manage stress.
What can you do to cope with stress?
What is the first thing that you do when you feel stressed? Take a sip of something. Have a fight with your spouse. Do you want to get rid of the driver in front? You may find temporary relief by letting go of your stress. However, there are also consequences such as an angry spouse and a rude driver.
It’s difficult to think clearly when you reach that point. The best thing that you can do is stop thinking about the things you don’t need right now. Remember that everyone is unique. You might not need what another person needs at the same time.
People gravitate towards things that provide immediate gratification. Yelling at bad drivers is a great way to feel better, but it won’t provide long-term relief from stress. It’s essential to have a variety of options.
Doing something physical can help you get out of the fight-or-flight stress response. It will also bring stress hormones under control, so your body feels better.
Simple ways to stress less
Your body can get into its own rhythm during exercise, so you can relax and let your mind wander. You might be able to solve problems, daydream, or simply let go. These simple tips can help you relax and de-stress.
- Take part in meditation or calming yoga to improve your mind/body.
- Enjoy a leisurely bike ride
- Go for a walk with a friend or by yourself
- Wash your car
- Yard work
You can try a rhythmic or mindless activity like washing dishes, raking leaves or cleaning out drawers
Exercises to relieve stress
For stress management, good cardio and strength training are great options. You probably have a high heart rate from stress. A good workout can help to reduce tension and make you feel more relaxed. Here are some ideas:
- Cardiovascular exercise: Nothing is better than a cardio workout to get you moving, burn calories, and let you forget about your daily grind for a while. These cardio exercises are easy to do at home.
- Circuit training: These circuits are fast and keep your mind active while you let your worries go. This circuit training program is for beginners.
- Interval training: This is an excellent way to work hard, but not have to maintain a high intensity workout. These interval workouts are a great way to get started.
- Strength training: It’s not always easy to feel strong. Get out there and prove to the world how strong you really are by lifting some weights. These strength training exercises will give you some ideas.
Mind-Body Activities
Cardio and strength training can be a great way to get your blood pumping. But there are other ways you can relax and allow your mind to slow down and relax. These mind-body exercises can help you achieve that.
- Laughter: Experts know for a long time the benefits of laughter. It can help your body in many ways.2 But it mostly feels good.
- Massage: Book a massage to give yourself something to look forward too. You can also relax at home by taking a hot tub or reading your favorite magazine.
- Meditation can be difficult. Meditation doesn’t need to be difficult. Meditation can simply be as simple as taking a break to breathe and allowing it to go for a few moments.
- Mindfulness: Simply paying attention to your surroundings can help you stay present and calm, which is one of the best ways you can reduce stress.
- Yoga: This ancient practice can help you relax and quieten your mind. Yoga can be practiced in many ways, including vigorous or relaxing.
- Pilates: Although it is more intense than other types of yoga, Pilates forces you to focus on your body and helps you strengthen your core, stability, flexibility, and balance.
