5 Habits to Reduce Stress

We all face stress in some way or another in our lives. From the stressful tiny things, to even the huge things, it’s something that is pretty much inevitable. Whereas sometimes we can see it coming, and other times we cannot. Whatever stress you might deal with, it’s important to deal with it in a healthy way to reduce or minimize its effects on your life and health. In honor of National Stress Awareness Day, here are 5 Habits to Reduce Stress.

Go for a walk (or get some exercise)

Not only is exercise good for your health, but it’s also great for reducing stress! Find a way to incorporate exercise into your daily life, whether it’s walking your dog or going for a bike ride; it can work to reduce your stress in a number of ways. In fact, the Mayo Clinic reports that exercise can not only reduce your stress but also lower the symptoms of mild depression, raise your confidence and even be a form of meditation for some. So start a routine to manage your stress or even take a quick walk when a sudden stressful problem arises. You’re might and body will thank you for it.

Write It Down

Another great way to handle stress is to write things down. They are many ways to approach this, such as journaling the thoughts and feelings of your everyday life or keeping a journal of all the things that you’re grateful for. The premise is the same, make sure to write it down! Just choose a method that’s right for you and stay consistent.

Listen to Music

Put those headphones in, or turn that speaker up and enjoy the tunes you love! Music has the ability to calm your stress, both emotionally and physically and leave you feeling relaxed without much effort. You can work music in throughout your day to manage your stress, which is a great low effort way to make a change. It doesn’t matter what type of music it is, as long as you enjoy it!

Disconnect

Technology itself is the reason we face stress sometimes. Seeing something online that upsets you or dealing with people through technology can really cause some pent-up stress. A great way to deal with this, is to try and disconnect. Put the phone down, walk away from the computer, turn off the tv, whatever the case might be, the best thing to do is take a break. Walk around your office, get some fresh air, just take time to yourself. This can really help to take away that growing sense of dread and stress you feel coming on. When you come back, tackle those emotions with a clearer and fresh mind.

Do Things That Make You Happy!

Hang out with friends and family, spend more time with your dog, cuddle, or even cook; the list goes on! Just do things that put you in a positive mood. You can escape your problems, but you can combat them by making sure you’re doing your favorite things that make you happy. Do one small thing a day for YOU!

Overall, learn your stress signals! If you have a specific habit that begins when you have too much stress, beat it to the punch and have a way to reduce that oncoming stress. Use these tips, or some of your own to improve your health and mind.