The pace of modern life sometimes leaves us little room to just sit back without constantly having tons of to-do lists and worries rushing through our head. No wonder that in these circumstances, stress is a leading health issue affecting 75% of people in the US. However, the consequences of this can be quite bleak. In fact, studies have shown that even mild stress compromises our health in the long term, which means it is in our best interest to change our lifestyle to fight stress as much as we can. To give you some of the best ways to create a daily routine that will relax you, here are a few ideas.
A little bit of exercise
To take action against this worldwide health threat, many people leverage exercise. About half of surveyed Americans incorporate regular physical activity in their routines in order to fight stress. You don’t have to become a gym rat and spend hours on end on a treadmill to get there – a little bit of movement every day will not interfere with your schedule but you will feel the difference immediately.
For instance, even a brisk walk will help your brain get those important neurotransmitters that are going to shield you not only against the negative effects of stress but also from anxiety and depression creeping up on you. Keeping your body physically active will also help you get a good night’s sleep, which will also help you feel light and relaxed.
Relax your body
Sometimes, when we come home from a long and hard day at work, we can feel all our muscles being tense. This is why it’s worth introducing a few things in your daily routine that will help relax your body and feel refreshed the next morning. For instance, yoga is a great tool to fight stress this way. Not only does it stretch and relax your muscles so that you can say goodbye to backache but the breathing exercises involved also help slow your heart rate.
Another way to help relax your tense muscles is by taking a bath. You can create a relaxing atmosphere in your bathroom by adding a couple of scented candles. If you want to get the wellness centre feel, consider getting some aromatherapy oils and diffusers. You can always change the scents depending on the mood.
Put on your headphones
Music is a powerful tool that can influence our mood in the blink of an eye. It can even help us cope with stress by listening to our favorite tunes both before and after stressful situations. So, it’s obvious that turning to music therapy and creating your own relaxing playlist is worth your while. As a rule of thumb, slow, instrumental music is the best to lower your heart rate and relax your mind, but each of us has different tastes so find what works for you if you’re not a fan of relaxation music. One thing is for sure, though, which is that listening to music on a daily basis will improve your mood and only benefit your mind. Note that listening to music entails actively listening, not just using it as background noise while you’re doing something else.
Socialize
No matter if you prefer spending time alone, socializing and spending time with your friends and family members should be an important part of your daily routine. We, humans, are social beings after all, and just talking a little with others helps us relieve stress and feel happier. Not only will you be able to talk about what’s bothering you and receive support from the people you love and trust the most, but spending time with friends is guaranteed to involve plenty of laughs, and laughing is certainly the best stress-reliever.
Organize yourself
It might sometimes seem impossible to even remotely organize all the mess around us. Countless tasks waiting to be finished, bills waiting to be paid and promises waiting to be fulfilled. In these cases, it’s worth taking a step back and reevaluating your priority system. First of all, you have to learn the power of saying “no”. You are not obliged to agree to every single favor asked of you only to get overwhelmed and stressed out, which diminishes your efficiency to even get the most important ones done. So, learn when it is advisable to put yourself first and say no.
Secondly, try to organize your to-do list every day. This little routine will take you far as you will be able to sleep soundly, not worrying about forgetting something important and already knowing where to start the next morning.
Conclusion
Of course, there are other ways in which you can lower your stress levels too, but these five little lifestyle changes are a good first step towards a more relaxed life where stress is not what controls your every move. So, get some exercise, relax your body, listen to music, talk to your friends and keep your priorities organized, and you will feel less stressed amidst the chaos of the 21st century. Good luck!
About the Author
Emma Williams is an Australian writer with a master’s degree in business administration, who has a passion for anything lifestyle and design related. She spends most of her time redecorating and participating in house projects. As a great nature lover, her biggest pleasure is spending time in a small cottage by the river.
Find her on Twitter @ https://twitter.com/EmmaWilliams204
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