Feeling Stressed? Take a Look at These Ideas
By Genevieve Cunningham
Feeling stressed is completely normal. Even though this statement is absolutely true, it probably doesn't make you feel any better. You might be thinking, "So what if it's normal, I don't want to feel this way!" Normal doesn't always mean that everything is OK. If you're constantly stressed, chances are good that things are in fact not OK at all. But don't worry, there's good news! If you're feeling too stressed, take a look at these ways to lower your stress and feel better than ever.
Go for a Walk
Adding a daily walk to your routine can improve your life in multiple ways. First, it's exercise, which is good for the body for obvious reasons. But beyond exercise, walking also helps to calm the body and mind. Our minds don't like to deal with mental stress and physical stress at the same time. So when we engage in exercise, even simple walking, it releases the mental anguish for a while and focuses on the activity. If you do this every day, you're easing the stress on a regular basis, and over time, your body responds in a big way.
Set Boundaries
A lot of our stress is caused by our inability to set proper boundaries in our lives. We go to work, put in a full day, and then still take work home with us. Why? Leave work at work where it belongs. The same principle applies elsewhere. Don't take worries and stress from one area of your life to another area. Set boundaries with people who take too much from you or who stress you out. Set boundaries with yourself when it comes to your time and energy. The more healthy boundaries you set, the less stressed you'll feel in your daily life.
Improve Your Sleep
If you're not getting high quality sleep, you're going to feel more stressed. Why? Because your body and mind aren't getting the rest and relaxation they need. They're in a state of survival, and so any new stress that heads your direction seems magnified. To improve sleep, set a bedtime and then actually stick with it. Make your space as comfortable as possible with a good mattress, supportive pillows, a cool air temperature, and low lights. As you improve your sleep, your emotional and mental state will improve greatly, and stress will be so much easier to manage.
Stress is certainly normal, and a little bit of stress is even healthy. It makes us better at competition and productivity. But too much stress is really bad for us. It harms our health and increases the risk of mental anxiety and depression. Luckily, there are so many things we can do to manage long-term stress. Use the tips to get your stress under control and move your health in the right direction starting today.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Nashua, N.H.