In today's society, stress and change are frequently confused. Stress is the body's and mind's physiological and psychological response to a change in a situation that the body and mind find overwhelming.
Life can feel overwhelming and stressful at times, what with the fast pace of work and home, being constantly bombarded with technology, and still wanting to connect with those around you. You may frequently wonder how you should deal with stress.
Try these five stress-management strategies to reduce the overall stress of daily activities:
1. Use guided meditation.
Guided meditation is an excellent way to take your mind off the stresses of everyday life. There are numerous guided meditations available online that can assist you in finding five minutes of focused relaxation.
2. Practice deep breathing.
Deep breathing is an excellent way to reduce sympathetic nervous system activation, which controls your body's fight or flight response to a perceived threat. Deep breaths taken in for five seconds, held for two seconds, and released for five seconds can help activate your parasympathetic nervous system to rest and digest, which can help reduce overall stress and anxiety.
3. Maintain physical exercise and good nutrition.
Physical activity and nutrition are two important aspects of stress management. When your body is healthy, so can your mind, and vice versa. Physical activity has been shown to be an excellent stress reliever and to improve your overall quality of life. Stress can deplete some vitamins, including A, B complex, C, and E, therefore proper diet is essential. Maintaining proper nutrition not only benefits your body, but also your mind, allowing you to better combat stress.
4. Control your time spent on social media.
Spending time on social media sites can be stressful, not only because of what you see there, but also because the time could be better spent visiting with friends, being outside and enjoying the weather, or reading a great book. Furthermore, many people use social media at night, which may impair sleep due to increased stress at a time when people are attempting to unwind for the evening, resulting in fewer overall hours of quality sleep.
5. Make contact with others.
Humans are social creatures. You must connect with people to feel supported. Finding a sense of community, whether at work, through a religious organization, or through shared interests such as organized sports, is vital to your health. Participating in a group activity allows you to find support and form relationships that can be beneficial through difficult times.
