Stress is one of the most potent causes of a myriad of health concerns in the world today. People's stress levels are so high, and it is leading to not only physical ailments but also other mental health disorders. Stress is how the body responds to a challenge or demand. Stress is vital in our lives as it helps us avoid danger and react swiftly to threats.
When stress in the body becomes too much, especially in the absence of threats and danger, it becomes harmful. You then become anxious about being stressed, which leads to a very negative feedback loop. You must reduce your life's stress and anxiety levels if you want to lead a healthy life. The following are the most successful ways to relieve stress and anxiety:
1. Exercise
Most people exercise or work out because of the physical benefits to the body. However, exercise has proven in countless studies also to have a beneficial effect on mental health. You only need to exercise to have first-hand evidence.
Evidence supports that exercise leads to the production of endorphins in the brain, which are natural substances that improve your attitude and make you feel better.
You should consider non-competitive resistance training, aerobic exercises like running, and low-impact movements like tai chi or yoga for reduced stress levels. A regular exercise routine is one of the most potent stress relievers you can find.
Hypnosis should be done by a qualified and accredited professional otherwise, and it might have unwanted consequences. Hypnosis is one of the most powerful methods of dealing with deep-seated causes of stress and anxiety if done by the right person.
2. Deep Breathing Exercises
There are plenty of stress and anxiety relief methods that you can do on your own. Deep breathing exercises are some of the most effective ones.
As the name suggests, deep breathing exercises involve sitting or standing and connecting with your breath. It sounds so simple, yet it is so powerful. The Wim Hof Method is an excellent example of a deep breathing exercise. Another example of a deep breathing exercise involves breathing in for ten seconds and exhaling for the same period.
3. Hypnosis
Hypnosis is a practice that addresses mental health issues for decades. Mental health professionals have refined the hypnosis process during that period, and it has an adequately high success rate.
Hypnosis is particularly effective for deep-seated issues in people. It is often challenging to address people's unconscious attitudes and beliefs even regarding an activity like driving. Putting such people under hypnosis overcomes their conscious resistance to dive deep under the surface.
The breath is such an innate and automatic part of life that we often overlook its importance. However, deep breathing will connect you with a primordial part of life and will lead to incredible relaxation that is certain to reduce your stress and anxiety levels.
4. Meditation
Another age-old and time-tested method that has a plethora of benefits to mental health is meditation. Meditation means different things to different people. However, it is simply sitting, standing, lying, walking, and being present for the most part.
Meditation as a stress relief practice is often associated with Asian monks and spiritual teachers who appear very serene. You can also achieve the same level of serenity and calmness with a daily meditation practice.
You should set aside at least fifteen minutes a day to meditate wherever and whenever you can. It would be best if it were a space specifically dedicated to the practice as it increases the chance of doing it regularly.
5. Get Enough Quality Sleep
For the most part, sleep has been an unavoidable part of life that we try to do without detesting. As most studies are beginning to prove, sleep is a vital and necessary part of our existence.
Studies are barely necessary to prove that you need to get enough sleep to reduce your stress and anxiety levels. Evaluate how you feel after a good night's rest and after a night without enough sleep, and it will be enough evidence.
Therefore, ensure that you get enough sleep every night. It is not only about the quantity but also about the quality of sleep. You should ensure that you get as much uninterrupted sleep as you can and watch your stress or anxiety slowly dissipate.
There are many ways you can try to reduce your stress and anxiety levels. The ones above are the top ways but are only the tip of the iceberg. If you can commit to doing them, you should be on your way to being free of stress and anxiety.
WRITTEN BY
Daria Brown