Stress is a common part of adult life. It activate your body’s “fight or flight” response, making you feel anxious and tense. It can be difficult to relax, especially if you’re experiencing a lot of stress in your life. But constant anxiety can take a toll on your mental and physical well-being, leaving you feeling tired or even sick. Here are some tips for relaxation to help ease anxiety.
First of all, it’s important to remember that you cannot control everything. Most often, anxiety stems from worrying about things that “could be” or “might happen”. Dwelling on the “what ifs” just takes focus away from the present. Take care of what you can take care of, and concentrate on what you can control. Try keeping a journal, as well; pick one time in the day to let it all out, write down your worries, and then move on.
Journaling is a good idea for those who deal with stress and anxiety. Besides having a place to vent, it can provide a place to express gratitude. After writing down all worries and fears, spend the same amount of time, if not more, writing down all the things you are grateful for. Recognizing the positive aspects of your life can magnify them. Often, you can be so consumed by everything that is going wrong that you forget all the things that are going right. Taking time to acknowledge them will help you feel balanced and boost your mood.
According to Therapy Group of DC, “One of the best ways to combat stress is through exercise; the benefits of exercise for mental and physical health have long been researched and proven time and again. Exercise in any form pumps you full of endorphins, which can help relieve pain and provide an overall sense of well-being.” It can also boost confidence and help distract you from your daily worries. Exercise is, in fact, meditation in motion; focusing on a single task as you are doing it can help you become more calm and clear and able to focus in other activities.
Other things such as mindfulness meditation and breathing exercises can greatly reduce stress and anxiety relief. Regular practice of these things can lead to lower blood pressure, slower heart rate, and lower levels of depression. Try practicing yoga or tai chi; these combine slow movement and breathing techniques for the ultimate relaxation method.
The one thing all of these have in common is that they force you to take a time out from life, even if just for a few minutes. Chronic stress and anxiety can cause health problems, so it’s important to take a time out, step back, and relax.
