Do you feel stressed out all the time? You're not alone. Many people today feel the same way. Stress can show up as headaches, trouble sleeping, or even feeling anxious over small things. It can make it hard to focus and enjoy life. But don’t worry, stress can be managed.
This blog will help you understand what stress is and give you simple tips to manage it. We will talk about easy lifestyle changes, relaxation techniques, and how aromatherapy can help. So, take a deep breath and keep reading to find out how to feel better and live a stress-free life.
Do you face any of these issues in your day-to-day life?
Muscle tension or pain in the neck and back side of the head.
Recurring headaches
Digestive problems like stomach upset or irritable bowels
Difficulty in falling asleep and not waking up fresh the next morning
Not able to focus on work
Get anxious and irritated over small issues
Sometimes you feel overwhelmed and another moment you feel sad- mood swings
Tend to overeat or undereat in non-favourable situations
Do you feel a change in your sex drive either over or under
Feel the urge to smoke or drink or are addicted to these
If your answer is yes to even one of these 10 questions, congratulations you belong to 77% of Indians and one of the 284 million people worldwide who are stressed and have prominent stress-related symptoms. Welcome to the community.
Understanding Stress
Technically, stress is not a disease. According to WHO, stress is a state of mind which is caused by a difficult situation. It is a natural human response of fight or flight which our brain sends to the body and generates the stress hormone cortisol.
This is our emergency handling mechanism but in this fast-paced world, we are always on our toes, and our growing attitude to react aggressively to every situation has made this emergency handling mechanism a normal routine.
Every time this fight or flight response triggers, our heart races, breath shortens and muscles tighten. The level of the stress hormone cortisol keeps rising and leads to several symptoms.
Stress now cringes our bodies and gnaws at the peace of our minds. Chronic stress leads to severe health risks like diabetes, autoimmune disorders, asthma, BP, hypertension, heart failure, and sexual issues.
Managing Stress Effectively
Hey! Don’t get stressed by reading all this. The good news is that stress can be managed well. If you want to know how to reduce or prevent stress, keep reading further. We will provide you with a complete guide to stress management. Here are your stress relievers:
Lifestyle Changes for Stress Relief
We are all busy, have no time, and we hate changes, but a little tweak in your lifestyle will go a long way. Here are some suggestions:
Move Your Body for Stress Relief
Include physical activities in your daily life. It could be a simple walk in the morning or evening, getting up from your office seat and stretching your body, or a small 5-minute post-lunch walk around the office. These simple physical actions de-stress our muscles.
Review Your Food for Stress Relief
Choose home-cooked food over restaurant food. Choose fresh food over frozen food. Include fresh fruits and salads in your diet. All these are stress relievers and help flush toxins out of the body.
Time Your Sleep for Stress Relief
Fix your sleeping and waking-up schedule. A good sleep is in itself the greatest stress reliever. You can read a good book or listen to soft music before sleeping, which will help you wake up fresh and recharge for the day.
Disconnect for Stress Relief
It feels good to be connected, but constantly being on the phone or social media can be stressful. Avoid listening to negative news, as it increases the level of the stress hormone cortisol in our bodies.
Make sure to stop using your mobile phone at least one hour before sleep and one hour after waking up. This little habit is the answer to how to avoid stress and anxiety.
Practicing Relaxation Techniques
Research has now proven that relaxation techniques like yoga and meditation are the best ways to reduce stress. You can also try developing hobbies like gardening, music, dancing, or cooking, which help to reduce stress.
This also helps in increasing the level of happy hormones like dopamine and oxytocin and counters the effect of the stress hormone cortisol.
Aromatherapy for Stress Relief
Aromatherapy is a holistic approach to natural wellness in which essential oils are used for therapeutic benefits. Many studies have shown that essential oils help reduce stress and anxiety.
Some stress-relieving essential oils are Lavender, Lemongrass, Frankincense, Bergamot, Rosemary, Cedarwood, Peppermint, ylang-ylang, and Eucalyptus. The aroma of essential oils, when inhaled, activates the emotional center of the brain. The limbic brain gets activated, which helps balance emotions and memory.
Aromatherapy helps to affect hormonal levels and regulates the nervous system, which helps in stress relief. Some common ways to use essential oils for stress relief are:
Direct Inhalation
Diffusing
Aromatic Spritzers
Aroma Facial Steam
Aroma Sticks
Aroma Salts for Bath
Conclusion
In today’s time, stress is unavoidable, but it can be well managed. Remember, dealing with stress is a journey, not a destination. I hope this article has answered all your questions on how to deal with stress and anxiety or how to relieve stress.
Incorporate these stress-relieving activities into your daily life to cultivate a calmer, more balanced physical and emotional state. If you have any questions, feel free to comment. Share this with a friend who you think is stressed and increase your dopamine level!
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