Stress – Some Of The Best Tips To Reduce Stress

Shocking. But even before the pandemic that is keeping the whole world in suspense, many of us were under constant stress – triggered by full-time jobs and the constant availability of growing digitization, to name a few stress triggers. So indulge in a slow-paced candlelit bath, or sip a pinot noir to slurp your roof terrace.

So, give these anti-stress hacks a try. For the best results, use them with friends, colleagues, or partners – not only will this help reduce their stress levels, but it will also make your daily environment more relaxed.

Count Your Breaths

Take two minutes to count your breaths. On each exhale, tap a key on your keyboard.

Yogis and medical researchers swear by breathing exercises, and with good reason. The breathing exercise is the queen of relaxation techniques – it helps you relax by mimicking how your body feels.

While proponents of breathing exercises usually recommend ‘focusing on your breath, with all the distractions around us, it’s admittedly quite difficult. So instead, counting your breaths helps you consciously focus on your breath and forces you to breathe deeply for at least two minutes. Although you may feel bored at first, you’ll find that counting your breaths can be useful with a little practice.

Hug Others

Grab a friend and hug them tightly. In Corona times, that probably sounds less intuitive. Of course, you should only press people very close to you or with whom you can be sure neither of you will take any risks. Alternatively, the people to be pressed can also be your better half or flat mate.

We’ve long known that just a hug can do what only hot chocolate with the mood booster serotonin can do: Hugs activate the release of the so-called ‘cuddle hormone (aka oxytocin), which makes you happier.

Bonus – Hugs help you manage stress and those of the people around you.

Create A Regular Reminder To Relax

Change your phone background to an image that will help you de-stress.

Let’s be honest – most of us are always checking our phones. While this probably adds to our day-to-day stress, we can also use our smartphones as a stress-relief tool.

Change your phone background to a nature photo – like your recent hike through the mountains of Patagonia – a simple seascape or just the color blue. All are scientifically proven to reduce stress.

And to avoid the stress that your cell phone induces, for example, due to the constant flood of push e-mails and social media notifications, try to banish it from your field of vision as often as possible or set your cell phone to a temporary “non- Disturb mode.” Because what we don’t see all the time may be forgotten from time to time.

Unleash The Power Of Lavender

Take a sniff of lavender when you’re feeling stressed – whether it’s in the form of essential oils, a hand cream, or even dried lavender.

When it comes to stress relief, lavender is a miracle cure. Believe it or not, studies show that just smelling lavender lowers your heart rate and reduces anxiety.

It is because lavender increases your GABA levels. These neurotransmitters help make you feel relaxed (which can also help you fall asleep).

Snack Smarter

Eat avocados, nuts, bananas, eggs, and Brussels sprouts (the latter is not recommended if you have an important meeting).

Your gut is one of the main mediators in your stress response. The gut-brain axis is an extremely strong connection between your stomach and the brain.

Omega-3 fatty acids (found in nuts, avocados, eggs, Brussels sprouts, etc.) reduce inflammation and lead to reduced stress. In contrast, potassium (e.g., found in bananas) helps regulate your blood pressure, which rises during stressful periods times increased.

Talk To Yourself

Manage stress in your head and talk to yourself in the third person (Example: “Anna, you’re on the deadline – you’ve got a full five hours to finish the report.”)

It might feel a little awkward but trust us here. You feel how your brain perceives your current state – hence “Fake it till you make it.”

Crank Up Some Good Tunes

Listen to classical music or any other tune you like.

You’ve probably heard that classical music helps reduce stress. However, if you’re not a supporter of either Bach or Beethoven, don’t worry – you can still use music to calm you down. However, in order not to stress your neighbors with your stress relief, wireless headphones are recommended. There are now real miracles of sound on the market with a fat bass.

Watch ‘Satisfying’ Videos

Check out one of the countless Oddly Satisfying Instagram accounts and let yourself be carried away. The same principle applies to ASMR videos (“Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response”), which are intended to help with deep relaxation.

We enjoy the Oddly Satisfying videos and relax as if doing the Oddly Satisfying activities ourselves – like cutting soap into squares, kneading in slime, or crushing bubble wrap. It is a form of micro therapy that helps us relax our brain and body.

The videos are a shortcut to reaching a meditative, super relaxed state. You can also visit your App Store/ Play Store and check which anti-stress and relaxation application are available there. Examples include the ‘Smiling Mind’ and ‘Headspace’ apps, which introduce you to meditation for relaxation, and the ‘Pacifica’ app, which is supplemented with additional autogenic training.

Light A Candle

Upgrade your environment by lighting a scented candle, then focus on the flame and the candle’s scent. It has been scientifically proven that candles calm us with their flame.

Scented candles are the most relaxing because scents are the gateway to our memories, experiences, and emotions. So when choosing a candle, choose one with jasmine, lavender, vanilla, or pine if possible. The candle makes you feel like you just finished a massage.

Conclusion

Our hectic lifestyles require quick, easy-to-use stress management techniques that you can use at your desk or for two minutes on the go to get on with your day a little more relaxed afterward.

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