In today’s fast-paced world where most of the people are juggling their family, work, studies, and other commitments, it’s difficult not to get overwhelmed and stressed.
But, excessive stress can take a toll on our health (both mental and physical), work, and relationships. It can make you agitated, adversely affect your focus and performance, increase your heart rate and blood pressure, and make you feel queasy and irritated all the time.
While you cannot completely avoid stressful situations in life, the good news is that you can certainly learn to go through them without getting much affected. Dealing with stress is not as difficult as it seems. All you need is a little practice and a presence of mind to not let stress stop you from being the best version of yourself.
Simple De-Stressing Techniques
Here are some simple, but effective, de-stressing and relaxation techniques that will help you reset your stress hormones and keep your cool during difficult situations:
1. Breathe
The simplest way to calm your nerves down is to deep breathe. Even when done only for a few minutes, slow deep breathing can dramatically reduce tension. Healthcare professionals recommend many deep breathing exercises that should be performed when you are anxious or stressed. Here’s one:
- Think about any two best moments of your life while inhaling. Also, recall the positive emotions you experienced during those times. While exhaling, imagine all your negative feelings going out of your mind and body. Do this for at least 10 times and you will feel an improvement in your mental state.
2. Go For a Walk
Walking helps to reduce stress hormones and clear your mind by boosting endorphins. While you can go anywhere for the walk, going to a park or a green space is more beneficial. It can increase the benefits by putting your brain in the state of meditation.
3. Use the Power of Visualization
Another simple way to relax when you are stuck in a stressful situation is to use the power of guided imagery – one of the most widely recognized stress management techniques.
All you need to do is to sit in a comfortable position and close your eyes for a few minutes. Now try to picture something that makes you feel happy or relaxed, like imagining yourself accomplishing your life goals or picture yourself vacationing at your favorite destination. Think about it in as much detail as possible.
4. Step Away from Screens
Prolonged and excessive use of screens has also been found to be linked with stress, depression, and loss of sleep. The problems are specifically prevalent among the young adults.
A series of research studies conducted by a doctoral student at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden over more than 4,000 young adults between the ages of 24 and 24 found that heavy use of computer