10 BEST WAYS TO RELIEVE STRESS

Stress can never be separated from your life. Starting from problems at work, fighting with friends, household problems, to the bills that you have to pay. But, you don’t have to worry. Even though stress follows you wherever you go, you can actually live a stress-free life. How? Let’s see a variety of unique ways to relieve stress below.

10 Best Ways to Relieve Stress

 

Effects of stress on your life

Actually stress is not always oriented poorly on your life. The stress underlies all the actions you take. Without stress, you have no worries about doing this or that. Unfortunately, not everyone knows how to deal with and deal with stress properly, which has a negative impact on health.

Uncontrolled stress in the long run can cause various health problems, for example, high blood pressure, heart disease, or depression. In addition, stress can also cause various disorders, such as headaches, loss of appetite or binge eating, muscle aches, insomnia, and difficulty in concentrating.

Also read: 5 MINUTE MEDITATION TO RELIEVE STRESS

Various ways to relieve stress

Stress that you cannot overcome has a negative impact on physical and mental health. So that your life is free from stress, you can follow a number of ways to relieve stress below.

1. Caressing cats or dogs

One of the reasons why dogs or cats are used as therapy animals is because both of them can meet basic human needs, namely to pour out affection.

Stroking, cuddling, or touching animals can quickly increase levels of serotonin and dopamine. Both of these hormones are useful for the body to calm the mind and tense muscles. This way, you will become more relaxed and your stress will disappear.

If you are accompanied by a pet, it can alleviate the loneliness you feel. For example dogs, this animal is a great stimulus to help you start a healthy sport, which in fact can improve mood, suppress depression, and lower blood pressure.

In addition, dogs known as human friends are also able to understand many of the words we use. However, they are far better at interpreting tone of voice, language, and gestures. Dogs are also able to look deep inside your heart to measure your emotional state and try to understand what you think and feel.

2. Floating in warm water in the bathtub

A Swedish study published in the International Journal of Stress Management found that floating in water triggers the body’s relaxation response, which helps suppress stress hormone levels. The research proves that swimming reduces the tension and stress experienced by children ages 11 to 13 years.

If there is no time to go to the swimming pool, soak in a bathtub, accompanied by aromatherapy candles and soft music. You can also soak feet in warm water spiked with spice oil or aromatherapy.

The use of aromatherapy can be an easy way to relieve stress. Certain scents, such as lavender have consistently been shown to reduce stress levels experienced by a person.

3. Doodling

Pictures, writing, even scribbles that may have no meaning on a piece of paper can be an easy way for you to relieve stress. Well, this is what has become a trend among adolescents and adults known as doodling.

Doodling alias drawing or scribbling on paper, is believed to be an effective way to calm a chaotic mind when under pressure and eliminate nervousness.

The material you need is quite simple, which is a pen and a piece of paper. You can do this activity when you are tired of being trapped in weekly meetings, on the phone, or when you are grinding your teeth due to anxiety.

In fact, in the bookstore, there is a special book available for doodling and all you have to do is beautify it with colored pencils, crayons, and markers. This activity not only removes tension but also increases concentration and creativity.

4. Chewing gum

The advantage of chewing gum is endless. Not only refreshing the breath and suppress snacking habits, chewing gum can also reduce anxiety and depression.

In a 2008 study conducted by Andrew Scholey, Ph.D., participants who regularly chewed gum showed decreased levels of anxiety, increased alertness, reduced stress, and increased multi-tasking progress.

Also read: What is stress management? – Definition, Causes, Levels, Strategies, Tips

 

5. Laughing

Besides smiling, laughing can also be a way to relieve stress. Laughter not only shows that you are enjoying the moment but also changes the system in the body that can reduce stress in the long run.

Laughter reduces the levels of stress hormones in the body, cortisol, and instead releases happy hormones, endorphins, so they can change the way you see things that stress you.

There are many things that can provoke you to laugh, for example watching your favorite sitcom series, playing with the kids next door, looking for funny jokes on the internet, watching funny videos, or anything that can make you laugh easily.

6. Sex

Sex is very closely related to stress. This activity can trigger as well as a way to relieve stress. If your sex life is bad, then the relationship you build will certainly have a negative impact. As a result, this can trigger stress.

Conversely, if the quality of sex with you and your partner is good, then the relationship will also be increasingly close. According to the NHS (public health service program in the UK) explains the reason.

People who have penetrative sex have the smallest increase in blood pressure. This shows that they cope with stress better.

In addition, sex also has the same effect as exercise or meditation. This activity can trigger the release of endorphins that make a person happier.

7. Massage

Stress makes the muscles of the body become painful or stiff. Well, one to reduce the negative effects of this stress, you can do reflexology, for example, Thai massage. Yes, a massage on your body can soothe the muscles of the body that are tense. Moreover, if you are equipped with aromatherapy. Not only body aches will improve, your brain will feel tired, so it will also calm down.

Although not yet conducted in-depth research. How to relieve stress has been applied by many people and most feel the effect. Do this after you do a sauna or warm bath so that the results are more optimal. If you are still in doubt, consult with a massage therapist to help you get rid of stress through massage.

8. Taking a deep breath – Do a deep breathing exercise

Deep breathing exercise has been shown to reduce cortisol levels, which can help reduce stress and anxiety. To begin, try sitting calmly in a quiet and comfortable place.

Then, close your eyes and take a breath through your nose. Then, breathe deeply in two counts. Hold your breath for one count, then exhale slowly, for four counts. If the count of 2 to 4 feels too fast, extend the count of breathing in 4 breaths and 6 outflows. Can also with 6 deep breaths and 8 counts of breath, and so on.

If deep breathing actually triggers anxiety, don’t force yourself. Most importantly, extend the exhalation out of your breath. Set the timer and breathe this way for at least five minutes so you can see the difference in your mood.

9. Praying&Worship

Dr Roberta Lee, the author of The SuperStress Solution, wrote “Research shows that people who use their religion or spirituality more often to deal with the hardships of life. They are better able to cope with stress, recover faster from illness, and they experience increased health benefits and their personal well-being. ”

Why is that? Worship gives time for yourself to connect with God. Yes, it provides calmness, alleviates anxiety, and makes you more grateful. During all these processes, you build positive energy that can get rid of stress and negative thoughts that do damage the mood.

In addition, being a religious person according to research makes a person’s life longer. Most religions regulate their people to carry out orders and stay away from prohibitions, for example not drinking or reducing alcohol and always thinking positively. These two things are closely related to managing stress.

10. Gardening

Do you like gardening? Isn’t it fun to fill your spare time to grow plants at home? Yes, besides being able to fill your free time, this activity can also be used as a way to relieve stress.

Gardening requires concentration, it means you will divert your mind from the stress that is being faced. As you do this activity, you observe the plant’s growth. Starting from planting the seeds, the seeds sprouting, growing bigger, flowering, and even producing fruit.

All that can bring satisfaction in your heart. Seeing the colorful beauty of flowers and plants also makes your eyes fresh and mind clearer. As for me, I feel such a great accomplishment and satisfaction when I can harvest the fruits that I grow myself in my garden. What do you think? Do you like this idea?

Also read: “I Eat when I’m Stressed!” – Ways To Deal with Emotional Eating

Should I go to a psychologist?

Although there are many ways to deal with stress, maybe not all of them have an effect on you. Especially if the stress you face is quite heavy. If it’s like this, you need help from a doctor or psychologist. The reason is, if this stress is not dealt with properly your body’s health will decrease, even paralyzing the activities that you normally do.

However, when is the right time to go to a psychologist or doctor? There are several signs that need to be noted and are a consideration for you to immediately visit a doctor, namely:

Symptoms of stress get worse

Like other diseases, if treated properly, stress symptoms will certainly get better. However, if you have severe ways of dealing with stress mentioned above cannot be used as an independent treatment.

You need guidance and treatment directly from a doctor, such as giving antidepressant drugs or therapy. If you feel stress makes it difficult for you to do your daily routine, consult a doctor immediately.

Wrong stress relief methods

When stress strikes your mind, most people take the wrong steps to overcome it. For example, venting stress by snacking constantly, drinking alcohol, or using illegal drugs.

Instead of relieving stress, this method actually worsens the stress you feel. This can increase a variety of dangerous risks, such as obesity, liver disease, depression, and attempted suicide.

 

Bottom Line

Everyone must have experienced stress, whether it is mild or acute level stress. This mental disorder does not only affect the psychological condition. Stress can also affect weight, sexual life, can cause hair loss and chronic illness. Therefore, do not ignore the stress you feel. Immediately find out the causes and ways to eliminate the stress that is most appropriate for you. If it is indeed difficult to relieve stress, it is important to seek professional help immediately.

Stay safe, happy, and healthy!

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We Stress Free does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. However, if you need someone to talk to and want to make friends, please feel free to reach me at ferra@westressfree.com. If you would like to REDUCE your STRESS and are interested to do an ONLINE THERAPY, you can do so here.

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The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.

 

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