When you’re feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or out of your depth, it’s easy to let stress get the better of you. Fortunately, there are effective ways to decompress. With these handy tips, you can find healthy ways to de-stress and decompress and learn how to overcome life’s challenges from a guest writer.
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Healthy Ways to De-Stress and Decompress
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Learn to breathe
When you get stressed, your breathing pattern changes but not always for the better. Taking short, shallow breaths can actually increase your stress response and make you feel worse. By practicing deep, ‘belly breathing’, you can calm your parasympathetic nervous system and stop stress responses in their tracks.
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Try meditation
Once you know how to meditate, it’s a skill you can use anywhere, at any time. That’s one of the reasons why it’s such a useful tool to have in your stress-busting armory. If you’ve never meditated before, you’ll find plenty of beginner’s guides online. Alternatively, follow a guided meditation MP3 or find a local group you can join.
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Spend time with friends
Being sociable can have a transformative effect on your mood, so make time for your friends. Whether you enjoy a glass of wine together, try out https://www.budexpressnow.net/5-types-of-weed-quality/, or simply catch on the gossip, spending time with people you love is a great way to relieve stress. Remember – when you can’t meet up face-to-face, you can use video calls and group chats to maintain your friendships.
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Go for a walk
Exercise is known to reduce anxiety and alleviate stress, so take advantage of this free, healthy way to decompress. A brisk walk is enough to get your heart rate up and trigger your body to release endorphins. These hormones can make you feel happier and calmer, which is why exercise is such a good way to let go of worries.
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Be creative
Whether you’re naturally creative or not, giving yourself the freedom to express yourself in a new way can be cathartic. From drawing and doodling to painting and sculpture, there are endless ways to embrace your creative talents. Even cooking can unleash your creativity and keep you focused, so find enjoyable ways to use your natural creativity and you’ll be amazed at the impact it can have.
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Become more mindful
Mindfulness has grown in popularity as people have become more aware of it. However, it’s been around for centuries and is well-known for its calming and therapeutic benefits. Being mindful involves observing your thoughts and feelings, rather than reacting to them or trying to banish them. It’s a great way to deal with intrusive thoughts, worries, and anxieties, and becoming more mindful is something everyone can do.
Find Your Go-To Stress Relieving Techniques
When it comes to stress relief, we aren’t all built the same way. However, trying new things will enable you to find healthy stress-relieving techniques that work for you. Once you know how to reduce your anxieties and overcome challenging situations, you’ll have all the tools you need to live a calmer, happier and more fulfilling life.