Life can be challenging and it’s no wonder that you can feel stressed out. You can’t always control life, but fortunately, there are things that you can do to help yourself feel better. Here are some things you can do to help yourself calm down when the stress feels overwhelming.
Get Some Exercise
Exercise is a great stress reliever, because it releases endorphins- those feel-good hormones. When you’re short on time try a brisk 10-minute walk to help calm you down and clear your head. Spend a few minutes stretching to relieve the tension in your body.
Do Some Deep Breathing
The shallow breathing you do when you’re stressed might not get the optimal amount of oxygen to your brain. Take a few minutes to try this breathing exercise: inhale through your nose to the count of four, hold it to the count of four, and then exhale slowly through your mouth. Focusing on your breathing will distract you from your stress and deliver a calming boost of oxygen to your brain.
Take A Break From Screens
Too much time at your computer can cause stress, sleep problems, and even depression. Take regular breaks from your screens throughout the day.
Eat Some Chocolate
I can’t think of a better way to relieve stress! Dark chocolate- in moderation, of course- can lower levels of cortisol, a stress hormone. Other foods that can help with stress include avocado, almonds, salmon, leafy greens. Oatmeal, which promotes the production of serotonin, the calming hormone, is also good for keeping your blood sugar steady, which will help to prevent mood swings. And gum! Chewing gum has also been found to reduce cortisol levels. Eating chocolate and chewing gum- who knew those indulgences could actually be good for you!
Laugh
Laughing is a great stress reliever because it gets you to breathe, it relaxes tense muscles, and release endorphins. Find a funny video and just let go for a few minutes.
The important thing to remember is not to let the stress take control of you. You can take a few minutes and take control of calming yourself down.