The internet is abuzz with ways to deal with stress and anxiety today. Ironically, biological stress was not even documented until the early 1950s. Before Hans Selyre (an endocrinologist) understood and formally documented stress, hundreds of millions of individuals the world over were constantly suffering from an ailment that had no official medical record or a systematic treatment methodology. Nonetheless, after stress was officially labeled as a serious medical condition, countless individuals the world over have benefited immensely by the treatments offered by certified medical practitioners. We have jotted down a comprehensive list of the most effective ways to deal with stress and anxiety.
Musical Therapy
Listening to music is among the top 10 positive ways to deal with stress. Musical tracks based on natural sounds such as ‘the ocean’ or classical beats such as ‘Bach’, tend to reduce the production of cortisol in the human brain. This in turn lowers your blood pressure and calms your mind. Cortisol is a stress related hormone that needs to be kept in check.
Be Open to Discussions
One of the best ways to deal with stress is to share your inner feelings with someone you trust. That person could be your friend, your family member or even your clinical psychologist. When you feel stressed and call your friend, the reassuring voice on the other end instantly calms you down. Thereafter, you can have an open discussion about your stressful thoughts with your friend. Not only would you get the answers to your nagging queries but you would also feel reassured from within. Sometimes, venting out your frustration works wonders for your mind.
Talk to Yourself
In case you do not have a friend or a family member to talk to, you shall have to deal with the situation on your own. Reasoning with yourself is one of the best ways to cope with stress. While talking to yourself, you need to first identify the stressful issue, ask yourself the best way to deal with it and in the end, convince your mind that everything shall be all right.
Opt for a Stress Free Diet
Consuming healthy food items is one of the most positive ways to deal with stress. When you feel depressed, you tend to crave for sweets, chocolates, pastries, burgers, french fries and other sugarcoated food items. This simply doubles your stress. To avoid such a messy situation, plan your meals in advance. Include fruits, fish and green leafy vegetables in your diet and completely avoid fatty, processed or sugary foods. In case you are prone to depression, include omega-3 capsules in your diet. Omega-3 has been scientifically proven to reduce stress.
Laugh Out Aloud
When you laugh, your body reduces the production of cortisol and adrenaline. Instead, it initiates the release of endorphins (a hormone that improves your mood). Avoid frowning and always smile. Laughing out aloud does not cost you a single penny and it is one of the good ways to deal with stress.
Include Green Tea in Your Daily Diet
Green tea contains theanine, which has a calming effect on your mind. Theanine is an amino acid that is popularly termed as a ‘healthy stress buster’. Green tea also contains healthy antioxidants that remove harmful free radicals from the human body and calms the central nervous system.
Meditate Daily
Of the many effective ways to deal with stress, meditation often tops the list. It is a technique that develops ‘soul consciousness’ and reduces stress. There are several meditative techniques. The popular ones include tai-chi and yoga. Reciting Buddhist chants is also an effective means of increasing the positive energy levels of your body.
Indulge in Physical Exercise
A ’30 minute’ early morning stroll in the park can do wonders for your brain. Alternatively, you can indulge in a slow jog or perform light weight training sessions. Always stretch your muscles before initiating your exercise routine. When you exercise, your blood circulation increases and your body becomes stronger. Increased blood flow releases endorphins that help elevate your mood instantly.
Take a Good Night’s Rest
What is stress management? Stress management can be defined as a set of techniques or psychotherapy sessions that are aimed at keeping your stress levels under strict control. You tend to feel depressed only when you are awake. To beat depression, it is best to sleep well. Eight hours of sound sleep at night helps your body recover and keeps stressful thoughts at bay.
Perform Breathing Exercises
Performing deep breathing exercises is considered one of the best ways to deal with stress and anxiety. Buddhists have been performing deep breathing exercises for several centuries, which is why, monks lead a completely stress free life. To perform this exercise, simply sit on a chair with your arms gently resting on your thighs. Keeping your spine and neck straight, breathe-in deeply until your lungs cannot take in more air. Hold your breath for a few seconds before releasing it out slowly. Deep breathing shall provide oxygen to your body and relax your brain.
These are the top 10 ways to deal with stress and depression. They do not cost a single penny and work wonders for your mind and body.
What do I do if I’m preparing for a sleepover but the night before I can’t sleep so the next day I’m tired and can’t do the sleepover. How could I prevent that.
If you are often having sleep issues, I would recommend you look into that with a professional. You might have a sleeping disorder. However, if it’s due to being anxious, mindfulness practices can help. You could also try therapy like CBT which has been proven to help with sleep. I hope this helps!