Americans are more stressed out these days than ever before. We work harder now, often for less money. Bills pile up. Our kids have needs. Our spouses need attention. It seems like the world is spinning faster and faster, and there is not much time to get off the merry go round. And also stress can have a detrimental impact on health and well-being. That is why we are offering you a few easy and quick tips designed reduce stress and make you feel less anxious. And the best part is that these are things you can introduce into your daily life without too much extra work. These tips are to be implemented now, so you can begin to feel better and more healthy.
Get More Exercise
There are many studies and noted medical authorities that support the idea that exercising a few days each week can lead to a reduction in stress and anxiety. And, of course, the other health benefits that come with exercise help to make one feel better and more relaxed. One of the reasons that exercising results in a reduction of stress is that it increases the amount of endorphins that are flowing through the body. It also makes you forget about your problems and improves your mood. Finally, vigorous exercise will relax the body, allowing you to sleep better. It can be any form of exercise, from lifting weights to a spin class to a session of yoga. Even a brisk walk can help. The point is to just get out there and start moving. Don’t sit idly by. Go do some exercise and you’ll feel better.
Improve Your Sleep
When you don’t sleep well your body and your mind feel stressed out. And, that stress can cause you to experience insomnia. It becomes a cycle that leaves you feeling tired and overly stressed. Poor sleep leads to a host of other issuesas well, including heart issues, reduced immunity and depression. One way to improve sleep is to turn off all digital devices (including TV) an hour before going to bed. This allows your brain to power down. Also: drink less coffee during the day. In terms of aids that induce sleep, look to natural remedies, such as CBD oil or certain strains of medical cannabis in the Indica family. In terms of sleep inducement, both CBD oil and cannabis are most effective (and faster acting) when they areconsumed with avaporizer or glass bong, available from a quality online headshop.
Consume Stress Relieving Foods
As the old saying goes, we are what we eat. This is true for diet, nutrition and weight gain, of course. But the foods we eat also have an impact on our moods and our levels of stress. There are a host of foods that help to lower stress. Dark chocolate is high in antioxidants, which means that it lowers the levels of stress hormones in your body. It also helps to reduce blood pressure and cholesterol, and most people say it helps improve their moods. Certain foods that are high in omega-3 oils also have a stress reduction benefit. These include avocados and fish like tuna and salmon. Finally, citrus fruits are good to eat as well. This is because vitamin C is a known reducer of stress. So make these minor changes to diet and you will begin to feel more relaxed.
Just Breathe!
One of the best ways to remove yourself from worrying about the future or overthinking the past is to practice mindful breathing. When you focus on your breath and try to take mindful inhales and exhales it helps to center you and to bring you into the moment. And in the moment, everything is fine. Stress often happens when we are worrying about something in the future….something we likely cannot control anyway. When you feel stressed try to sit down, place both feet on the ground and just breathe. Be mindful of your breath. Focus on it. When you begin to focus on your breath you will no longer be thinking about the future or the past, and you will no longer feel the stress associated with those thoughts.