Healthy Ways to Reduce Stress

By Donna Stark

We may be strangers to a lot of things in life, but I think I can fairly say that most of us are no stranger to stress. Stress can affect us in many ways but there is nothing worse than what it does to our overall health and wellness. And although we can't eliminate all of the things that stress us out (hello, bills still to be paid), we can participate in certain activities that will help us manage our days without so much anxiety. Want to know what some of them are? Take a look at a few of them below.

Gardening

The start of gardening season is right around the corner, but you certainly don't have to wait for it to arrive in order to engage in this hobby. Growing and tending to plants and herbs in your home can be just as gratifying as that huge outdoor garden that others are lucky enough to take care of. So head to your local store and get your supplies today! The nice thing about gardening is that it gives you the opportunity to grow whatever you please (plants, herbs, flowers, fruit, and vegetables), but even better than that, this hobby has also been shown to encourage relaxation and reduce stress.

Yoga

If your stress levels are through the roof every single day, you may want to consider taking up a hobby that promotes a rested mind while also improving your physical health. Yoga helps to build strength, improve balance, increase flexibility, alleviate pain, and restore balance to the body's major systems. An added benefit of yoga is that it is something that you can do nearly anywhere ... you just need some comfortable clothes and a mat or towel to work on.

Reading

If you used to love reading as a child, I would encourage you to pick up that habit again. Curling up and getting lost in a good book will never go out of style and is a great way to reduce stress. It's also a good way to relax the body which may help ease the tension in your muscles.

Hiking

You can't talk about ways to reduce stress without mentioning the great outdoors. Spending time outside and enjoying everything that Mother Nature has to offer can help reduce your stress, anxiety, and worries. Plus, it's a great way to get your daily exercise in too! So grab your jacket, lace up your shoes, and head to your local trails!

Less Stress for Better Health

If you are looking for ways to unwind and to bring some calm into your life, try one of the suggestions above or come up with your own relaxing hobby. The options are endless but the results are more than worth it!

To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Knightdale, N.C.