8 PRACTICAL WAYS TO RELIEVE STRESS
RELIEVE STRESS & IMPROVE YOUR WELL-BEING
Given the current situation, we’ve all experienced stress at some point in our lives. The pandemic has unavoidably brought us a great deal of misery such as unemployment, death, and loneliness. And being confined to one’s home or limited in one’s mobility adds to the anguish. Hence, we must find ways to relieve tension. Otherwise, balancing everything we face may be difficult.
It has by now become clear that mental health is just as important as physical health in maintaining one’s well-being. After witnessing a number of suicide attempts, we now understand that depression is lethal. Evidently, mental illnesses lead to poor physical health or reckless behavior.
But, there are several techniques that can help maintain your equilibrium. Before we get into that, let’s talk about why we need to relax.
RELAXATION AS STRESS RELIEVER
Relaxation techniques are an excellent stress-reduction strategy. It’s more than having fun or doing something you enjoy. Being relaxed means being free of tension and anxiety. Hence, taking your mind off your problems reduces the negative effects of stress.
Stress can cause health problems like heart disease, hypertension, and pain. Relaxation techniques can help you deal with stress. But, there are simple relaxation techniques that you can use. Some methods are even free or low-cost. In addition, de-stressing techniques are risk-free, and you can do it anywhere you want to.
Here are some basic and practical relaxing exercises to get you started.
8 PRACTICAL WAYS TO RELIEVE STRESS
Relaxation techniques help you refocus your attention on something calming. It also increases your awareness of your body. It makes no difference which relaxation technique you use. What is important is that you strive to relax to reap the benefits.
Relaxation techniques come in various forms, including:
1. MASSAGE
Tension accumulates in our muscles and joints. Do you notice that when you’re weary or worried, certain parts of your body become stiff? You’ll notice it particularly on the shoulders, legs, and lower back. Rubbing and kneading tired and tight muscles and joints relieves tension or discomfort. It’s such a liberating and delightful feeling that can put you in deep and restful slumber.
Using high-quality massage oils, such as basil and ginger can provide extra advantages. Essential oils reduce pain and discomfort.
2. WARM BATH OR BODY SOAK
A warm bath does not only improve blood flow. Inhaling steam improves oxygen saturation when you breathe deeper and slower through it. Additionally, a hot bath, sauna, or jacuzzi can kill microorganisms and boost immunity. It can also relieve cold and flu symptoms, induce sleep and reduce blood sugar.
3. WALKING
Physical activity doesn’t have to be strenuous to be beneficial to your health. What matters is that you keep moving to avoid muscle atrophy and joint stiffness. Walking is a low-impact, low-cost activity that requires little to no equipment. You can do it at any time of day and your own pace, without the risks associated with strenuous exercises. Well, of course, you must take the required measures when strolling at night.
Walking is also an excellent form of exercise for people who are overweight, elderly, or idle. Plus, seeing new faces and places lifts your spirits. So make it a habit to go for a stroll every day to reap the benefits,
4. YOGA
Yoga is an excellent approach to relieve tension in your muscles and joints. It’s also a perfect way to increase flexibility, enhance posture, and stretch out the body. Furthermore, Yoga is also an effective way to detoxify your body. It can help you flush out toxins from your body, that you have accumulated from eating processed or junk food.
There are four main styles of Yoga. It is ideal to try out a few different styles of Yoga to see which ones work best for you.
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Hatha yoga is excellent for beginners because it focuses on yoga poses and breathing. It is the most traditional type of Yoga.
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Bikram yoga courses relax your muscles and joints by using heated rooms.
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Iyengar yoga focuses on establishing the proper alignment for yoga practices. It emphasizes alignment and breathing, not physical postures.
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Vinyasa yoga emphasizes the movement from one pose to the next.
Yoga offers several advantages, including providing a sense of peace and serenity. You can find more information on Yoga HERE.
5. MEDITATION
Meditation is the practice of concentrating one’s attention on one thing. It keeps you away from other thoughts. It’s effective because it calms you down as it quiets or clears your mind of worries.
Some folks think meditating is difficult. Actually, it’s not. Here’s a guide to help you get started with meditation.
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Find a quiet place where you can sit or lie down. You can use a pillow or cushion for extra comfort.
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Relax your body and close your eyes.
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Take a nice deep breath when you begin, then go back to your natural breathing.
- Pay attention to your breath without controlling it. Observe how your body moves with each inhale and exhale. If your mind wanders, focus back on your breath. Do this for at least 3-5 minutes, and notice how you feel after the exercise.
Meditation can help you focus on your work and reduce stress, anxiety, or sadness. If you want to learn more about it, you can begin with these meditation programs, such as:
- Headspace’s Guide to Meditation on Netflix
- Deepak Chopra’s 21-Day of Abundance Meditation, or
- Download meditation apps like Balance
6. READING
“Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.”
– Joseph Addison and Richard Steele,
Reading books, especially fiction, engages the intellect and imagination completely. Any activity that requires contemplation and concentration helps lower stress and improve relaxation.
According to research, people who read for six minutes have slower heart rates, less muscle tension, and lower stress levels.
7. LISTENING TO MUSIC
Music has an evident impact on us. It can make us cry, laugh, sing, or dance. All these activities are cathartic. Thus, it can treat ailments and restore the balance between the mind and body.
On the contrary, some individuals believe that music is a distraction. It shouldn’t be the case since music reduces stress and increases productivity. Thus, music is another fantastic tool where you can gain significant benefits. Besides, searching for the ideal music for your temperament requires minimal effort.
Individual musical tastes vary. Only you can decide what you like to listen to and what you think is appropriate for each mood. Many believe that classical music is most calming. But you can pick other music genres that you think are most soothing to you.
8. AROMATHERAPY
Aromatherapy, which uses natural plant extracts, is an excellent stress-relieving strategy. They can assist in managing common health issues and help improve your well-being.
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Light a scented candle
- Apply liniments or lotion laced with herbs to the afflicted area.
- Diffuse essential oils to infuse the room with lovely aromas
- Aromatherapy can be used while meditating. You can add essential oils with massage oils for a more effective way of relieving tension.
Moreover, aromatherapy items are also available anywhere, making them a practical choice. However, you don’t need to look any further. ATIN has everything you need to relieve stress and improve your relaxation techniques.
ATIN Scents and Home Decors is your one-stop-shop for all things aromatherapy. They offer:
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twelve different types of pure essential oils to address your needs
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herbal-infused massage and body oils to relieve muscular stress and joint stiffness
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reed diffusers with innovatively designed diffuser wicks for maximum fragrance throw
- soy wax scented candles which burn cleaner and slower than paraffin wax candles
ATIN constantly strives to deliver a full range of scentsational items. We do not only ensure high-quality products. We promote our local economy by utilizing only indigenous resources.
BENEFITS OF RELAXATION
Relaxation is no longer a luxury. Indeed, de-stressing is an absolute necessity.
For instance, individuals who use relaxation techniques to relieve stress have demonstrated the following benefits:
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regulates heart rate and blood pressure
- enhances digestion
- improves blood circulation
- promotes sleep
- alleviates muscle tension and chronic pain
- normalizes blood sugar levels
- boosts self-esteem
- increases focus and concentration
- relieves stress and fatigue
- gives a sense of peace
Stress is unavoidable. However, we can reduce its negative effects by relaxing and keeping a positive outlook. Additionally, maintaining your core and balance at all times will keep you on top of things.
So remember, when you feel the tension rising, start relaxing.