These are turbulent times indeed. With so much happening from day to day, it’s difficult for many of us not to feel stressed and anxious. The Anxiety and Depression Association of America identifies anxiety disorders as the most common mental illness in the US, affecting around 40 million adults every year.
If you are experiencing acute symptoms of anxiety, it’s time to see your doctor. But for minor episodes of stress, Amy Osmond Cook, CEO at Osmond Marketing and a Daily Herald contributor, shared five simple and effective ways to alleviate those feelings in the Daily Herald. Here are some of the highlights from that article.
Aromatherapy
Lighting some candles with soothing scents or using oils like lavender can help you to relax at the end of a long day. This relaxation technique can also help you to sleep, and a good night’s rest can help keep your stress levels down as well.
Eat Healthy
The foods you eat can make a difference in how stressed you feel throughout the day. “Some people may find that food can help relieve stress, but it is important to make healthy choices that you won’t regret later,” says Marites Crispino, director of nursing at Vista Manor Nursing Center. “Rather than stress-eating unhealthy foods like desserts full of sugar, eat a balanced diet with complex carbohydrates, protein and vitamins to keep your blood sugar at healthy levels and prevent fatigue.”
Laugh
It’s hard to feel stressed when you are laughing at a good joke. Laughing produces changes in your body that can help relieve stress. It helps your body put out more endorphins, which make you feel happy. It can also improve your circulation and help your muscles relax.
Relax
When you’re stressed out, relaxing may seem easier said than done. Practice breathing exercises or focus on relaxing your muscles to help put your body and mind at ease. Practicing mindfulness or other meditation techniques can help you to relax as well.
Exercise
When it comes to physical health, the quality of your exercise choices often has more of an impact than the mere quantity of the activity. Physical activity of any kind should do the trick. Shoot some hoops, do yoga, lift weights, or even go on a walk. Exercising helps you produce endorphins, which helps you feel good. It can also help you sleep better, which improves stress as well.
We all experience varying levels of stress in our lives. But for those days when your anxiety levels are creeping through the roof, these five simple tips can bring down your stress levels while ramping up your ability to focus on the day.
To read the full Daily Herald article, click here!