Stress relievers: 9 tips to reduce stress

Uncontrollable stress may be making you irritable and nervous. Stress relievers can help you restore calmness and serenity to your chaotic life without taking too much time or thinking. If your stress is getting out of control and you need some quick relief, try one of these tips.

Eat a healthy diet.

Eating a healthy diet is an important part of taking care of yourself. Aim to eat a variety of fruits and vegetables, and whole grains. Try to stay away from addictive substances that you think reduce your stress but actually do not.

Get active.

Besides the physical health benefits, exercise has been shown to be a powerful stress reliever. Set reasonable goals for yourself by considering options such as non-competitive aerobic exercise or strength training. Aerobic exercise has been shown to release endorphins that help you feel better.

Avoid unhealthy habits.

Some people may deal with stress by drinking too much caffeine or alcohol, smoking, eating too much, or using illegal substances. These habits can harm your health and make your stress level worse.

Study and practice relaxation techniques.

Taking time to relax each day helps manage stress and protect the body from the effects of stress. During meditation, you focus your attention and silence the tangled stream of thoughts that can fill your mind and cause stress. Meditation can instill a sense of calmness, peace, and balance that can benefit both your emotional well-being and overall health.

You can choose from a variety of techniques such as deep breathing, imagery, and mindfulness meditation. Whether you’re out for a walk or taking the bus to work, it can be practiced anywhere at any time. 

Get enough sleep.

Stress can cause you to have trouble falling asleep but sleep is the time when your brain and body recharge. Therefore, the amount and quality of sleep you get can affect your mood, energy level, concentration and overall functioning. If you have trouble sleeping, listen to soothing music and stick to a consistent schedule.

Connect with others.

When you are stressed and angry, you may instinctively want to isolate yourself. Instead, reach out to your family and friends. Social contact is a good stress reliever because it can distract you from the stressor, provide support, and help you tolerate life’s ups and downs. You could also consider volunteering for a charity and helping yourself while helping others.

Keep a journal.

Writing down your thoughts and feelings can help you release your suppressed emotions. Don’t think about what to write, just write whatever comes to mind, don’t strive for perfection in grammar or spelling. When you’re done, you can discard what you’ve written or save it for later.

Reduce triggers of stress.

Most of the time, you may not have time to devote to everything you want in life. At this point, it’s important to consider things like setting your priorities, being open to asking for help, and taking time for yourself.

Set realistic goals and expectations.

Understanding that you can’t be 100% successful at everything at once is the right approach. Be mindful of the things you can control and try to accept the things you can’t control.