Beat Stress with these Coping Tools
Stress is a common emotion in which your body and mind react to situations that may be hard or confusing. If you experience stress, you can find methods to alleviate it, ensuring that your body and mind are healthy and well-rested. Below we will cover some simple ways to reduce stress, which can set you on the right path to a healthier lifestyle.
Healthy & Balanced Eating
One step to stress-reduction is ensuring your current diet is balanced and healthy. Many processed foods and additives are correlated with heightened stress levels. Key point, try to maintain a rich diet with carbohydrates, protein, vitamins, and greens. This combination can boost serotonin and dopamine levels while regulating your cortisol, which reduces anxiety, and can boost your mood.
Develop a Positive Nighttime Routine
Maintaining a consistent sleep schedule is easier said than done, which is why it is crucial to take steps well before bedtime to ensure a fulfilling sleep. A good night’s rest will help repair your body and recharge your mind, making the prospect of chronic stress less likely. You could start by avoiding stimulants (such as caffeine) during the afternoon, limiting screen time an hour before bed, keeping your bedroom dark and clean, and calming your mind by picking up a book, taking a walk or engaging with mindfulness practices.
Get Outside and Exercise
Getting outdoors and moving your body are important tools for decreasing stress and improving mood. Exposure to natural light increases vitamin D, boosts serotonin, and helps regulate your circadian rhythm, which ultimately improves your mood and sleep. Similar to the effects of being outside, exercise can also boost serotonin and quality of sleep, and can serve as an outlet for anxieties or stress. Exercise shifts the negative impact of stress and anxiety into a healthy and productive activity, and has the potential to boost your confidence, too.
Express Yourself
Bottling up your emotions during high-stress periods causes hormones, such as cortisol and adrenaline, to be released into your bloodstream - this can lead to tense muscles, poor cognitive functioning, and an overwhelming feeling both physically and mentally. Keeping a daily journal or talking to a loved one about your stress, or even simply your day, can help you work through your feelings and offer stress relief. Exploring your feelings through journaling or conversation can help you identify the root issue of the stress, which can assist in problem-solving and strengthen your relationship with yourself and others.
