Almost everyone suffers from some stress in their life. Whether it is dealing with a difficult customer at work or the deadline for an assignment that you have been working on for weeks, there are many ways that people can feel stressed and overwhelmed.
A lot of people have trouble with feeling stressed, anxious, or just plain overwhelmed. It's a natural reaction to the things that are going on in their lives. Most people don't know that there are simple and easy steps they can take to make themselves feel more relaxed almost instantly.
Anxiety is something that many people struggle with daily. Between work, family life, social obligations, and other responsibilities, it's no wonder why so many of us find ourselves feeling stressed out all the time. Luckily, there are ways for us to combat this and do our best to live a more relaxed life.
1. Take Deep Breaths
We know that it's not always easy to calm down when we're feeling stressed or anxious, but taking some time out of your day to breathe deeply can have major benefits for your mental health. Deep breathing has been proven by science to reduce stress levels and lower blood pressure. When we breathe deeply, our body gets enough oxygen and releases negative feelings like anger or sadness.
Do you know how to take a deep breath? It sounds simple, but so many people don't know the correct way. A deep breath helps your body and mind relax almost instantly. When we are stressed, our muscles tense up, and we start to breathe quickly. Taking a few minutes to practice some deep breathing exercises will help release tension from your muscles and promote relaxation in your body. This is great when you need time to yourself or want to get ready for bed at night.
The best way to measure your breathing is by counting your inhalations (the time between one breath and another) for a full minute. If you inhale for more than 12 seconds consecutively, that's considered a deep breath. Did you also know that taking 10-12 deep breaths every hour can improve concentration levels, increase energy levels, and make us feel more relaxed? When we take these long breaths, our heart rate slows down, which increases oxygenation to our brain.
2. Go For a Walk Outside
We have all felt the stress of a tough workday. But, there are many ways to relieve that stress and feel better. One way is to take a walk outside. Research has shown that walking outdoors can make us feel more relaxed almost instantly - even if we feel stressed before going for a walk. It's as easy as taking a break from your desk and getting some fresh air.
Walking helps release happy hormones such as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine in your brain, boosting moods and relieving stress. You don't have to go far either- even 10 minutes will do wonders for reducing anxiety levels and boosting energy levels.
Walking in nature has been shown to reduce stress and increase relaxation by up to 68%. This is because being outside can help us experience a sense of awe, reducing negative emotions like anxiety, anger, and depression. In addition, this type of environment provides plenty of opportunities for physical activity and exposure to natural light- something that many people don't get enough of daily.
3. Take An Epsom Salt Bath
Epsom salt baths are a great way to de-stress and relieve pain. Epsom salts are best known for their ability to alleviate muscle soreness, but they also have many other benefits. The magnesium sulfate in these salts is absorbed through your skin and helps your muscles relax, which causes the release of endorphins and serotonin. These two chemicals are responsible for making us happy and less anxious. You will feel more relaxed almost instantly.
Epsom salts have been used for centuries in spas and homes alike because they help relax and soothe sore muscles and help with detoxification. It's important to note that these baths don't just work magically. You need to soak for at least 20 minutes for it to be effective.
4. Listen To Soothing Music or Nature Sounds
Music and nature sounds are great for relaxation. Listening to music or nature sounds can help you feel more relaxed almost instantly. The calming effect of these types of sound therapy is due to the way they affect your brainwaves and heart rate. It's not just a coincidence that people listen to soothing music when they want to relax or sleep better; it actually works.
The type of music that you choose can have a huge impact on the mood and relaxation level. For instance, if you are stressed or feeling anxious, listening to soothing classical or instrumental music may be just what you need.
On the other hand, if you want to focus more on creativity than relaxation, try listening to upbeat pop or rock songs with lyrics. In addition to choosing the right type of music for your needs/mood, it's also important not to overstimulate yourself by playing too many songs at once (I find this especially true when I'm working).
5. Drink Peppermint or Herbal Tea To Soothe Your Mind
Herbal teas and peppermint have been used for years to relieve stress and anxiety. Peppermint is known for its ability to relax the body, while herbal teas are good substitutes for looking for something more natural than a store-bought tea.
Many people feel more relaxed when they drink a cup of peppermint or herbal tea. The taste and aroma are both calming, which helps the person to relax. Drinking peppermint tea is particularly helpful for people with digestive problems or stomachaches because it can help ease their discomfort.
Peppermint also has some natural pain-killing properties that may help reduce spasms in the muscles and relieve headaches and muscle aches. Take five minutes out of your day and brew yourself some calming goodness that will help soothe away the worries and stresses weighing you down.