We all have days when there’s an entire stack of work to get through, meetings to attend, and family commitments to make time for. Plus the chores that keep adding themselves to that list don’t seem to make matters any better. It’s almost as if you’re like a ticking time bomb, waiting to blow up any moment.
Don’t fall off the edge just yet. Instead, try some of these methods to help you peace out.
1. Turn Up The Music
Research says that tuning into your favorite jams when stress is getting the better of you is a sure-shot way of de-stressing your mind.1Bear in mind though, that this won’t help if you still allow your mind to obsess with whatever that’s causing you so much worry. Instead, allow yourself to forget about your problems for a while, focus on listening to the lyrics, tapping your feet to the rhythm, and just giving into the experience of sound. And if the music is really good, don’t hesitate to turn up the volume!
2. Say No To Something
Plenty of us find ourselves stressing out because we tend to overcommit ourselves beyond necessary. But the thing is, you have only 24 hours in a day, and there is only this much you can push yourself to get stuff done. Eventually, the feeling of over-extension is bound to get to you and the fact that you haven’t been able to finish all the things you promised to will only make you feel more burdened.
The simple solution to this is learning to put your foot down when someone asks you to do something when you know in your heart that your day is already packed. Start prioritizing your well-being, and you’ll automatically feel a lot less overwhelmed.
3. Get A Dose Of Greenery
Studies say that walking through greenery helps de-stress the mind because nature allows for ‘involuntary attention.’2 This means that trees, shrubs, flowers, and lawns have the ability to hold our attention while allowing your mind to do some essential internal reflection. So the next time you feel overburdened, take some time out to go walk in the nearest park and enjoy the fresh air. You’ll come back feeling fresh enough to tackle whatever it is that is bothering you!
4. Take A Cold Shower
Cold showers work in a strange way to reduce stress because it actually makes you believe that you’re washing all your negative feelings and thoughts away. In fact, cold showering also helps bring down the overall levels of cortisol in your system, the main hormone that is responsible for elevating feelings of stress.3 4 So go ahead – pop into the bathroom for a quick pick-me-up and imagine your worries swirling around in that drain to vanish for good!
5. Be Kind And Giving
The genuine intent to help others and acting upon this intent has been associated with personal happiness for the longest time.5Helping people out with their problems, being a part of philanthropic activities can actually bring down the level of the stress-causing hormone cortisol, thus, automatically putting you in a better mood.6
Start making the time to do some volunteering of your own. Not only will you make the world a happier place, but you’ll also be improving your own health and well-being in the process!
6. Get Some Exercise
Once again, it is a research-backed fact that exercising regularly helps elevate the mood. Every time you go for a jog, a walk, or a little run, your body releases endorphins that medical experts have fondly nicknamed ‘happy hormones.’7 These give you an energy boost and make you feel a lot more positive about yourself. In addition to this, exercise also reduces the levels of cortisol in your body, thus helping you beat stress.8
We’re not saying you have to run marathons every day to enjoy the mental benefits of exercising. Just try and go for a brisk 20-minute walk before you start your day and you’ll be ready to take on whatever the day throws at you!
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