Stress is a huge part of life. It’s arguably a necessity so that people can work and try harder. However, stress can get too overwhelming at times. During said times, it usually accumulates from different facets of one’s life.
Stress is mostly a psychological phenomenon. However, if left alone, according to Web MD, it could lead to a variety of physical symptoms or even chronic illnesses like high blood pressure and heart disease. Yikes!
But you don’t have to move heaven and earth to reduce stress in your life (that would be stressful in itself). All you have to do are the following.
Healthy Body
One of the best defenses a person can have against stress is having a healthy body. Aside from the fact that it can also stem from physical disturbance, a healthy body also produces chemicals like endorphins to counter its effects.
Eating right is the first side of the healthy body triangle. You don’t have to count calories or proteins to make sure you’re eating healthily. By making sure that all the food groups are amply represented and you’re getting the vitamins and nutrients your body needs, you can feel the effects. Over time, you’ll even stop craving junk and sugary food.
Exercise is, of course, a vital part of a healthy lifestyle. According to the Harvard TH Chan’s School of Public Health, it reduces stress at a chemical level in the brain. It also helps release endorphins that ease a person’s mood. Regular exercise prevents several chronic diseases and possible eventual stressors, too.
Resting is the third side. Proper rest is often easily neglected by people who have hectic lifestyles. But resting well is a cornerstone of health. By getting better sleep, your body is allowed to recover from the rigors of the day. Many factors affect sleep quality, like temperature, brightness, and sound. According to Jonathan Stevens, even the right mattress is essential to maintaining good long sleep.
Social Connections
On the surface, venting out to friends is always a suitable way of relieving stress that has built up. But on a deeper level, maintaining healthy social connections is also a preventative measure against stress.
According to a study posted on the US National Library of Medicine – National Institutes of Health PMC, having a social support network to lean on can build resilience against stress in the long term. It ultimately reduces the risk of chronic diseases as well.
Happy Place
You also need your way of destressing. Having a happy place is something everyone needs. It’s not an actual physical place; it’s a state of mind you enter to bring your mood up and leave your stress behind.
This idea was popularized by the 1996 Adam Sandler movie, Happy Gilmore. In the film, Sandler plays a golfer with anger management issues. His mentor always reminds him to go to his “happy place” during high-pressure situations so that he can play at his peak. It works for him.
Imagine a happy moment or memory where you can see the sights and hear the sounds – where you felt deep meaning in your life. It may be with a loved one or by yourself. The place has to be strong enough to recall in the direst of situations.
With these elements, you can keep stress from taking over your health and life. You can maintain a positive outlook without being burdened by something negative such as stress.
