Stress is one of the leading culprits of weight gain, insomnia, depression and fatigue. Under stress, our bodies change chemically, which can affect our hormone levels and the way we function. Here’s 5 quick tips on how to reduce your stress and live healthier today!

1. Exercise
One of the healthiest ways to eliminate mental stress is to engage in some physical stress. Physical exercise is one of the best mental stress releases. When you put stress on your body during exercise, you give your self a chance to clear your head, deplete your excess energy and afterwards, put yourself in a rest and recovery state.Also, it’s no secret that physical exercise releases endorphins, those happy chemicals that can improve your mood and block the pain receptors. So next time you find that your head is swimming and your cortisol levels are high (stress hormones), go for a walk, bike or swim. The more stress you put your body through, the more mental stress you will relieve.

NOTE – Your exercise program must be first approved by your physician.

2. Don’t Procrastinate
One of the leading causes of stress can be the act of feeling overwhelmed with work. When you’re overwhelmed, sometimes the mountain seems too steep to climb. It’s human nature that we want to put off the hardest, longest tasks, but what that actually does is when we put something off, the stress of that task remains, and builds.When there’s a task at hand, it’s best to tackle it. Once you complete a task, you’ll feel like a weight has been lifted. You’ll feel confident and enjoy a good endorphin boost. A key to setting yourself up for success is to not bite off more than you can chew. Learn to say no to things you can’t take on, delegate, and write it down.

 

3. Spend Time with Friends and Family
Everyone requires a sense of belonging. Whether it’s to a friend group or having strong familial ties – it’s in our nature. Sometimes, feeling a sense of community is one of the best ways to eliminate stress. The feeling that you’re not going through something alone can help your mental state greatly.There are even endorphins that your brain releases when you feel accepted or part of a group. We call it the warm and fuzzy’s.

4. Practice Yoga or Meditation
To master meditation would be the ultimate solution to stress reduction. Though meditation can often take people years to master, the ability to consciously clear the mind would be an asset to your personal stress reduction.Not into meditation? Try yoga. Yoga is a good mix of physical and mental exercise. There’s the stretching and strength aspect of yoga, which on its own acts as a perfect physical outlet for your stress. But there’s also the mind-body connection that is incorporated in any yoga practice. The act of breathing, and focusing on your body is a sort of meditation in and of itself. Breathing helps your body to release the stress hormones on a cellular level, and it also helps you to consciously focus on your body. Taking your mind off the day to day and focusing on your body is about as good as a stress reliever as you’ll find.

5. Write It Down
Often times, stress is caused by negative thoughts – worries, anxieties, etc. Get it out of your head and onto the page. Writing down the things you’re stressed about is the best way to release it. You don’t have to hold onto those thoughts anymore – because you already wrote them down! It’s almost magic how well this exercise works.

If you find yourself having difficulties with stress and your mental state is suffering as a result, please don’t hesitate to call our office. Under our new covid-19 safety measures, we can answer any questions you may have over the phone, or we can help to make an in-person appointment.