Seven solutions to combat stress
With the start of school, you may feel the pressure to do your homework and write your papers. Maybe you are looking forward to your first upcoming exam. And trying to balance schoolwork with your social calendar can cause you to pull your hair out.
You are being pulled in several different directions and the stress can become overwhelming. Here are seven tips to release stress.
1. Breath deeply
When you feel stress start to build up, stop what you’re doing and take a break. Sit back and relax with your eyes closed. Breathe slowly, inhaling and exhaling, for five minutes. Clear your mind and focus on your breathing. When you’re done, slowly open your eyes and allow yourself a chance to come back to the moment. You’ll feel relaxed and ready to get back to work.
2. Eat healthy
Did you know that there are foods that cause stress? Spicy foods, sweets, caffeine, processed foods, chips, and even gum have additives that only increase stress levels. When you’re feeling stressed, it’s best to eat a salad, some turkey, a bowl of oatmeal, yogurt, berries, or dark chocolate. These foods have natural elements to reduce stress.
3. Listen to music
Soft music has a calming effect on the brain and body. It lowers blood pressure and reduces cortisol, the hormone that is related to stress. Although classical music is best for this technique, you can choose any soft music you enjoy.
4. working out
A regular exercise routine is one of the most effective stress relievers. Find an activity you like and do it for thirty minutes a day. You don’t have to join a gym or take a yoga class. You can go for a walk, ride a bike, swim… anything you enjoy and gets you moving.
5. Take a daily withdrawal
Spending some time alone for 10 to 15 minutes allows you to revitalize yourself. It gives you a chance to relax, take a deep breath, and de-stress. Silence your smartphone during this time. You don’t want distractions. When you’re done, you’ll feel refreshed and ready to tackle the rest of the day.
6. Find one good thing today
Stress is often caused by several things going wrong during the day. If you’re having a bad day, stop what you’re doing. Reflect on what happened that day and think of something good that happened. Focus on that and let the bad stuff fall off your shoulders.
7. speak it
Call a friend, your mom, sister… someone you can talk to easily. Tell them what stresses you out. Talking through things can help you reflect on what is causing her stress and give her a chance to process it, and then you can both find solutions.
These seven tips should help relieve your stress. Practice them daily to feel calmer and more productive. You can’t completely eliminate stress from your life, but you can learn to control it.