3 Distinct Ways to Lower Stress
By Genevieve Cunningham
Stress is a staple in the lives of many. Wait ... many? Yeah. It’s pretty much a staple in the lives of everyone. The problem with stress is not that it exists, but rather that it can cause a whole host of unhealthy side effects to your body. High blood pressure, headaches, weight gain … they’re all a part of excessive stress. In order to prevent these problems, it’s crucial that every person learns to manage stress in a way that works for them. If you haven’t learned to do that yet, take a look at these specific ways to reduce stress and leave you feeling your best.
Sweat It Out
Your body can really only handle one type of stress at a time. If you’re mentally stressed, it can’t handle any physical stress. So if you force it to take on physical stress, in a manner such as exercise, it will force the mental stress to fall by the wayside. You can choose whatever kind of exercise you like. Running, yoga, boxing, and swimming are all great options, as are many other forms of exercise. Just find something that works for you, and stick with it on a regular basis!
Create Something
Research has found that the act of creating something lowers stress levels in the body. So what can you create? Literally anything! Feel like sculpting? Hit the local art shop and grab some clay. Like to paint? Grab your paint and a blank canvas and get to it. If you’re more technical minded, try creating a website or learn how to code an app. And the best part is that you don’t have to be good at it. It’s the act of creation, and not the finished product, that yields the most results.
Chew Some Gum
As it turns out, chewing gum has a purpose after all. It can reduce your stress levels. Research suggests that it is the repetitive motion of chewing that helps your body relax. It’s an activity that literally releases energy, but that you don’t have to think about at all. Find a minty or fruity flavor that you love, pop it in your mouth, and chew your way to lower stress.
Reducing stress is a crucial part of staying healthy. While there are plenty of tips on how to do this, it might work differently for every person. Find what works for you, and stick with it on a regular basis in order to consistently keep your stress lower.