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Are you constantly stressed out? Chronic stress could be causing long-term damage to your health. Here are just seven ways in which you can help beat stress and feel happy and healthy again.
Tackle the source
A lot of things can trigger stress. In some cases, you may be able to get rid of the trigger – this could involve a quitting a job that you hate or splitting up with a partner who is making your unhappy. In other cases, the source could be something that you can’t get rid of and you may simply have to find a calmer way of approaching it. Stress is only necessary in dangerous situations – if you’re getting stressed over non-dangerous situations, start questioning yourself why the moment it happens.
Take a break
A well-earned break away from the source of your stress could also be needed. This could be a holiday away or simply a weekend to relax at home. Don’t feel that you can’t rest because of commitments – you can always book time off work, hire a babysitter or look into respite care services if you’re looking after a sick or elderly relative. Make sure that your break is spent relaxing and not doing other activities that could cause more potential stress.
Exercise
Exercise is one of the best stress-busters out there. When stressed, our body is preparing for fight or flight – by being active, you’re giving your body the release of energy that it needs. Exercise floods the body with endorphins, which can help flush the stress-causing cortisol out of your body. Just make sure that it’s a physical activity that you enjoy.
Have a hot bath
A hot bath can also be a great stress reliever. This is because the hot water helps to fight a lot of the symptoms of stress such as helping tense muscles to relax and releasing endorphins to fight cortisol. It’s the perfect stress reliever for the end of a hard day as it can also help to improve sleep quality.
Get more sleep
On the topic of sleep quality, this is also an important factor that can affect stress. Lack of sleep and stress can cause a vicious cycle – when you don’t get enough sleep, you’re more likely to be stressed and when you’re stressed, it’s harder to sleep. Reward yourself with an early night so that you can get the hours of rest you need. If you find it hard to get to sleep, you can always try out some of these tricks to help you sleep.
Laugh it off
Laughter is also good for tackling stress. When we laugh, we release endorphins. This can help to get rid of cortisol in our veins causing stress. A night out with friends or a comedy could be all you need.
Meditate
Another stress-buster worth trying is meditation. Meditating is great for clearing the mind, for bringing down high blood pressure and for restoring steady breathing. This could involve simply closing your eyes for a minute and taking yourself away from the situation.
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