Feeling overwhelmed? Find your inner calm with these easy tips!
Get Active Against Stress
According to the Mayo Clinic, “Almost any form of physical activity can act as a stress reliever [since] exercise can refocus your mind. This refocus can improve mood and help the day’s irritations fade away. So go on a walk, take a jog, work in your garden, clean your house, bike, swim, weight train, vacuum or do anything else that gets you active.”
Play Away the Stress
“Play is not just essential for kids — it’s also an important source of relaxation for adults,” says Rachel Buzenberg, an activity therapist at Henry Ford Health. “Expanding your leisure interests is not only calming, it also helps manage stressors and build happiness.”
So bake a new recipe, try your hand at making art or do a puzzle — whatever you enjoy!
Laugh Off the Stress
“Laughter has been referred to as ‘internal jogging’ and may provide a source of healing,” says Dr. Shalu Ramchandani, a specialist at Boston’s Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine. “It reduces stress hormones and becomes an expression of joy, optimism, and hope. Watch a movie or TV show that makes you laugh, maybe your favorite episode of I Love Lucy. ”
Stay Connected to Ease Stress
“A good support network of colleagues, friends and family can ease your work troubles and help you see things in a different way,” explains the UK’s National Health Service. “Activities we do with friends can help us relax and relieve stress. [And] talking things through with a friend may also help you find solutions to your problems.”
Engage With Your Senses to Minimize Stress
According to experts from Virtua Health, it’s important to be connected to one of your five senses.
“Practice the 5,4,3,2,1 technique. Name 5 things you see, 4 things you hear, 3 things to touch, 2 things you smell, and one thing you taste. Engaging your 5 senses is a great way to ground yourself in the present moment and [also] take your focus off your stress.”
