How to Lower Stress for Better Health
By Genevieve Cunningham
No matter who you are, you’re going to suffer from stress in life. It’s inevitable. Whether it’s work that causes you stress, social media, your kids -- the stress-inducing problems in life are numerous -- lowering stress and keeping your mental and physical health about you during stressful episodes is definitely tough. But it’s also necessary. Excessive stress can lead to a wealth of negative side effects on your well-being. But since most stress triggers are unavoidable, what can we do? If you need a little help getting your stress under control, take a look at these tips for lowering your stress for better health down the line.
You Need to Say No
Some people have been conditioned to say yes to everything. Can you do this extra work? Sure. Can you pick up your friend’s kids after school? No problem. Can you run from one activity to another even though you already have plans? Of course. If you’re feeling stressed, you’re going to have to learn to say no. If you have plans, say no. If you don’t have enough time, say no. Saying no doesn’t mean you’re unwilling to help or being selfish. It means you’re putting your health first, and in this case, it means you’re taking your stress seriously and doing something about it.
Stop With the Procrastination
Everyone procrastinates, but if we’re being honest, procrastination leads to serious stress. We put things off and off and off until … it has to be done right this second or the end of the world will occur. Of course this is stressful! If you want to lower stress levels, eliminating procrastination is a great place to start. It will be tough, and it will take serious self-discipline and willpower, but the stress-lowering, health-boosting effects will be more than worth it.
Get a Little Movement
If you’re not exercising, you need to start today. Exercise helps create chemicals in the body that lead to happiness. Take a walk, join a yoga class, take a dip in the pool. The more movement you get on a regular basis, the less stress you’re likely to suffer, and the healthier you’re likely to feel every day.
Have Some Alone Time at Night
We all lead incredibly busy lives. We run from place to place, always busy, always trying to get more done. If you want to lower stress permanently, you need to slow down. Make sure that you’re getting some quiet alone time every night. This allows you to relax and unwind, which leads to less stress and a greater sense of self-satisfaction over time.
Stress can’t be completely eliminated from your life, but you can definitely work toward reducing it. With some simple changes in your routine, a bit of patience, and serious diligence, stress can be kept at manageable levels for the rest of your life. And the lower your stress, the more likely you are to feel healthy and happy for years into the future.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Miami Gardens, Fla.