Written By: Patrick Adams
Experiencing stress and anxiety in moderate amounts is often part of our daily lives. Unfortunately, these feelings of unease can turn into a chronic nightmare that may urge us to develop unhealthy habits and embrace harmful coping mechanisms.
Working in chronically stressful surroundings or experiencing emotional distress can cause tensions to accumulate and anxious thoughts to arise and cause even more problems. But, anxiety is manageable, and numerous methods will help you calm and soothe your soul. Stress can be healthy in small doses, but it’s vital to know when’s the right time to make positive changes or seek help. You are strong enough to manage stress, and once you do, your actions will open new doors that lead toward a happier and more fulfilling lifestyle.
1. Moving of the body motivates the soul
Physical activity is vital because it gives your brain a reason to release happiness hormones that promote positive feelings such as pleasure, happiness and love. Endorphins will help you manage your anxiety and make you feel a lot better for the whole day. It’s advisable to start exercising a few times a week if you want to notice the results and benefit from regular physical activity.
If the body stagnates, the spirit will follow. As soon as you start exercising, you will notice the regulation of your sleep schedule, and you will have more energy for simple tasks that often rob you of your strength due to the accumulation of stress. Your body will also feel a lot lighter, and you won’t have to deal with chronic back pain or muscle ache after walking or standing for a few hours.
2. Food rich in nutrients is good for the brain
Feasting on processed foods and fizzy drinks is not the best way to deal with tension and stress. Added sugar is a contributor to your overall anxiety, and you should avoid it whenever possible. When blood sugar crashes, you may feel down and unmotivated to complete your tasks or enjoy your free time.
Emotional eating is, unfortunately, one of the easiest ways to awaken and engage your senses, which is why so many people fall into this trap. Our brains release dopamine when we satisfy or cravings for indulging foods, and we feel a lot better, at least for a short amount of time.
However, these coping mechanisms are far from healthy, and they can do more harm than good. It’s vital to eat in moderate amounts, and fill your belly with nutritious foods. Try not to eat processed meat every day, and eat more eggs and raw vegetables. You will feel a lot lighter, and more importantly, your body will learn how to manage anxiety better and recognize the triggers.
3. More ‘me-time’ can resolve important conflicts
It’s healthy for all human beings to set priorities. They are going to help you manage your free time and give you more space for the most vital tasks and activities in your everyday life. We often tend to shift the most of our focus to insignificant aspects of our lives that we barely have the energy and time to pay attention to ourselves!
That is not a good practice, and we need to stop for a second and give ourselves more ‘me-time’.
Spending time with yourself is vital for your mental health. You will be able to learn more about yourself and find out what makes you happy and relaxed and how to provide that for yourself. The path to self-discovery is thorny and bumpy, but this experience will teach you how to embrace your feelings and prioritize yourself and your needs. Instead of cleaning the house or working during weekends, take yourself out on a date and treat yourself with your favorite coffee and desserts.
Our needs and wishes change over time, and you need to be present if you want to recognize and validate them. Change your relationship with yourself, and you will have a better understanding of your stress and anxiety, which is going to be very helpful in the future.
4. Caffeine and cigarettes will fuel your anxiety
Caffeine can make you think faster or complete your duties on time, but only if you consume it in moderate amounts. Drinking a few cups of coffee every day or replacing regular meals with espresso or latte will add more fuel to the fire. Your bowel movements will cause you pain, and your body won’t have enough nutrients to stay energetic throughout the whole day.
Determine how much coffee can you tolerate, and try not to drink more than that. If you’re a smoker, you should try behavioral counselling and treatments for tobacco dependence. Quitting smoking may seem impossible, but it’s vital to try if you want to feel good and more in control of your feelings and emotions.
5. Surround yourself with people you care about
Friends and family are everything- they love us, and we love them, and together we almost always make each other’s days a little brighter. Surrounding yourself with the people you care about will fill you with blessings and help you reduce the impact that the anxiety has on your everyday life. Social support will make you feel more loved, and it can help you get through stressful or anxious times.
Our bodies release oxytocin when we surround ourselves with the people we care about, which is a natural stress reliever. Invest in your friends because they will be there for you, but make sure to provide the same support when they are the ones who feel down.
6. Relaxation techniques can do wonders to our nervous system
Soaking in your bathtub after a stressful day can lift your mood and provide more energy for other activities. Recreate your favorite spa experience in your bathroom and give yourself the luxury of dealing with stress in the best way possible. Equip yourself with your favorite bathroom salts and soaps and allow yourself to enjoy in the harmony of your favorite fragrance notes. To make that possible, look up one of the most beautiful bathroom accessories that will complete the look, and you will always have something to look forward to after you come home from work.
7. Conquer your fears and get in touch with the professionals
Managing anxiety and stress can often be hard, especially if you’re dealing with these feelings alone. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness, and if your thoughts become too bothersome, you should contact your local therapist. They will help you find the best techniques for relaxation or resolve traumas from the past that make you more sensitive and vulnerable in your current surroundings.
If you’ve never been to therapy before, it’s normal to be scared at first. However, it’s vital to know that your therapist wants you to get better, and if you join the forces and work together, you will be amazed by the results. Allow yourself to be vulnerable in front of others, and amazing things will follow.
Conclusion
Life can often be challenging, and no matter how hard we try to stay on our feet, it often brings us down. In those moments, anxiety and stress tend to drown us in worries, but we have to learn how to rely on ourselves and manage these feelings properly. Recovery and healing take time, and they can be quite challenging for all of us. But, nothing feels better than going to bed without experiencing anxiety about what the future brings, and that’s why we need to take better care of ourselves and ensure we understand out inner frictions and conflicts.
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Bio: Patrick Adams is a freelance writer and rock-blues fan. When he is not writing about home improvement, he loves to play chess, watch basketball, and play his guitar. More than anything, he loves to spend his time in his garage, repairing appliances and creating stuff from wood.
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