Stress is something that we have all faced and have been through. Unfortunately, stress can hit us at any age and anytime (Stop Stress). This is why it is important to know ways how to help reduce stress levels so you can get on with your life.
In addition, if you learn early how to deal with stress it can make a big difference in how you feel and how you get to experience life as a whole. Learning how to manage stress can even help reduce health concerns that you may be experiencing.
Here is a guide to stress so you can put a stop to stress today!
What is Stress?
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Stress is defined as “a state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or very demanding circumstances“. However, small amounts of healthy stress can be a good thing, as it can alert you from danger or making the wrong choice. Stress becomes negative when a person faces ongoing stress without any relief.
When someone is stressed tension builds within them and this can lead into concerning factors. For instance it can lead into physical symptoms; headaches, upset stomach, high blood pressure, weight gain, chest pain, sleeping problems and even heart attacks. Stress can also have a mental toll by having anxiety and depression.
However, if you learn techniques to manage stress you can eliminate these health concerns and live a fulfilled positive life.
What causes Stress?
What causes stress comes under such a large umbrella. Just how humans are unique and original, so are the reasons that might trigger unhealthy stress levels in someone. Here is a list of possible causes that might be the root cause for stress in some people:
- Unhappy with their job
- Heavy workload
- Too much responsibility
- Giving a speech to a large group of people
- Facing discrimination
Stresses can also develop due to events that may occur in life; for example:
- Death of a loved one
- Divorce
- Getting married
- Traumatic events
- Chronic illness
Stress can also develop from worrying about things that have not even happened yet; for example:
- Fear of the uncertainty
- Unrealistic expectations
- Worrying about what others may think
- Major life changes
How to Deal with Stress?
Fortunately, there are techniques and ways that can help you cope with stress and help reduce stress levels. Therefore, it can make a big difference in how you feel physically and mentally and help stop the symptoms of being under stress.
Here are a few techniques that can help you reduce your stress levels:
Gum – Chewing gum is a great way to help reduce stress and this technique has been used for centuries. It has been proven to lower anxiety and ease stress. Also, it improves blood flow to your brain and the smell and taste help people to relax.
Many people chew gum during an exam to reduce anxiety.
Nature – the outdoors has been linked to many research studies to make a positive difference in how you feel. This is because it allows you to leave your usual setting and experience something new. You get the opportunity to see, hear and experience different things which can change your mood in a positive way.
It has also been proven that spending time outdoors contributes to your physical well being, reduces blood pressure, heart attacks and the production of stress hormones.
Lavender – The scent of lavender can be found in candles, oils, bubble baths, soaps and many other products. This is because there are certain scents that soothe and relax the mind and body. In addition, lavender is used for medical reasons because of its botanicals for anxiety and stress relief.
It is also known and has been scientifically proven to reduce levels in anxiety; pulse rates and helps you sleep. These are all symptoms that some people experience when they are stressed.
Diary – keeping a diary is an old technique that has been used for years to help deal with stress and the emotions. A diary acts as an emotional outlet, which allows individuals to use the tools of a paper and pen to sort out and clarify thoughts, emotions and concerns.
Also allows individuals to reflect, provides a source to express difficult emotions that you cannot put into words and help release negative thoughts to help you build a positive mindset. And once your concerns and emotions are on paper you can start working on solving them.
Yoga – is an ancient technique that has been used and practiced around the world to help manage stress. Yoga is considered a mind-body and alternative medicine practice for stress. This activity brings together physical and mental elements to help accomplish peace and harmony through our body and mind.
As a result, it helps relax and manage stress in people. Many researchers concluded how yoga helps reduce stress, anxiety, and enhances the mood in a positive way and helps individuals get in touch with their over-all well being.
Meditation – is a practice that has been used for a long time as a mind and body complementary medicine. It allows your mind and body to experience calmness, peace and balance; therefore, it helps and benefits your emotional and physical health.
Meditation is a great practice to help clear away thoughts when you have too much information to think about. Also helps give a new outlook on stressful situations, increases awareness, focuses on the present, and reduces negative thoughts. It also just takes a few minutes out of your day for you to experience the effects of meditation and lowering stress levels.
Deep Breathing – is a technique that has shown to reduce stress symptoms. This is because when you are under stress you’re breathing pattern changes, which can cause anxiety and difficulty breathing. Therefore, when you take deep breaths it helps your breathing to be consistent and normal again.
Consequently, deep breathing exercises can help slow down heartbeat and/or stabilize blood pressure.
Music – Music is a therapeutic tool and has been used to help with managing stress. Studies have shown and proven how music can be used to help reduce stress and stress symptoms. Studies have also shown how music can lower blood pressure and reduce stress hormones.
It works by introducing your body to biochemical’s which helps reduce stress. It also stimulates brainwaves which have an effect with changing the mood and even behavioral responses due to stress.
Exercise – is a great way to help reduce stress and stress symptoms because it allows your mind and body to go somewhere else. However, you get a greater relief after you have exercised your body and mind.
This is because physical activity produces and a chemical called endorphins which is a natural painkiller, improves better sleep which helps reduce stress.