Some people say that stress is just a fact of modern life. However, what if stress were a warning sign from our bodies and minds that what we are doing, or how we are living, is not good for our bodies? Mentally, emotionally, and physically, too much stress can have a lasting and severe impact, and as such it is entirely key that we practice methods of stress minimization in both the short and long term.
More and more, we are put under immense pressure to earn more, buy more, be thinner, be fitter, work longer and have a better social life. For those who cannot do all of this (and that is most of us) the stress of perceived failure can be immense. The effects of such stress on your body can be very severe and include increased risk of heart problems and IBS, tension headaches, migraines, insomnia, a weakened immune system and even asthma.
Here are some tips that can help combat the effects of stress as well as help to minimize the accumulation of stress in our lives.
Take regular vacations
This might sound like a joke to those who can barely afford one vacation per year, but taking regular vacations need not always be two week all-inclusive getaways. A vacation can be as simple as taking three days off, turning off your mobile phone for an entire weekend, ignoring your emails for a couple of days, and indulging yourself a little. Just relax and do the things that you enjoy simply because you enjoy them.
Meditate to ease stress
Meditation used to be seen as something for the alternative lifestyle, vegan, and fair-trade types, but it has recently gained a much more widespread acceptance as a way to ease stress, but even to set you up to deal with stress long-term. It’s even been proven to minimize the effects of depression, anxiety, cognitive disorganization, and even loneliness. Just remember that it’s a process and that getting stressed about not meditating right defeats the whole object. You might start with just 5 minutes a day, building up to 10, 20, 30 minutes or more.
Breathe Deeply
Deep-breathing works much like meditation and can be a real lifesaver when it comes to anxiety and panic attacks. Life is very busy and demanding in the modern age, but taking the time to breathe deeply when things get overpowering can help minimize stress. Why not try it right now? Breathe in through your nose for five seconds, hold it for a few seconds, and then exhale slowly through your mouth. If you do this when you are having a bad day, it might just help you see the more positive side of events.
Stretch with Yoga
Think of Yoga as a way to adequately prepare your body to deal with stress and the effects of severe stress in the future. Yoga trains and conditions your muscles and cardiovascular system, thereby improving your overall fitness and helping you to lose weight (which is good for your self-image for a start), but is also a great way to alleviate the aches and pains which come with pinched nerves and muscle spasms. Many also claim that Yoga can be used as a form of exercise-based meditation.
Use Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy has long been a staple of holistic medicine and spa treatments, but there is some substance to the claims that surround it. Certain smells, by stimulating parts of our brain through the olfactory processing center, can help us get a better sleep, trigger memories, and ease the process of relaxation. Everyone has a personal preference when it comes to scent, but Lavender and Eucalyptus are generally the best scents when it comes to destressing. Why not visit Spa Imagine on your next visit and ask for treatments that involve aromatherapy oils?
Practice Gratitude
Our culture is very much “more is more” these days, and we are constantly encouraged to buy the latest gadgets, the best clothes, the most effective creams and pills to make us look and feel better. We are encouraged to be “more” every day, and for those who cannot meet these impossibly high standards, stress and depression soon follow. What we must instead do is learn to be grateful for who we are and what we have. Being thankful for what we achieve can help us to be more compassionate, content, and less stressed. A positive outlook may not seem like much, but it can work wonders when it comes to lowering your stress levels.
