STRESS IS THE BODY’S RESPONSE to a challenge or demand. Everyone experiences stress, which can be triggered by a range of events, from small daily hassles to major changes like a job loss or divorce. The stress response includes physical components, such as an elevated heart rate and blood pressure; thoughts and personal beliefs about the stressful event; and emotions, including fear and anger. Although we often think of it as negative, stress can also come from positive changes in life, like getting a promotion at work or having a new baby.
Stress and anxiety do have their functions if they’re not experienced in excess. They push us to make necessary changes in our lives, signal when we may be in danger, and inspire us to take action to get ourselves out of danger. In this way, feelings of stress and anxiety are healthy and necessary. Without them, we may not act in our own best interest.
The point at which worry and anxiety become unhealthy is when they immobilize us rather than inspire us to act. Whether we’re worried about things in the future or so stressed and anxious that we can’t move forward, the stress takes a toll on our mind and body and affects our health.
Certain habits can promote resilience to stress as well as increase overall wellness. The following are some long-term stress-relief strategies for lasting health:
• Eat a balanced diet. Consuming a healthy diet can help you combat stress over the long haul.
• Make time for leisure activities. Building time for leisure into your schedule could be the key to helping you feel your best, and when you feel better, you perform better, which means leisure time may make your work time more efficient.
• Develop a positive self-talk habit. The way you talk to yourself matters. Harsh self-criticism, self-doubt, and catastrophic predictions aren’t helpful. It’s important to talk with yourself in a more realistic, compassionate manner.
• Practice yoga. Yoga combines physical movement, meditation, light exercise, and controlled breathing—all of which provide excellent stress relief.
• Express gratitude. Gratitude helps you recognize all the things you have to be thankful for. Whether you’re grateful for a sunny day or thankful you arrived at your destination safely, think about all the good things you have in life.
• Prioritize exercise. Physical activity is key to managing stress and improving mental health. There are many different kinds of activities that can reduce your stress: join a gym, take a class, or exercise outside. Walking, kayaking, hiking, and spin classes are just a few examples of how you can relieve stress.
Sometimes, the best way to reduce your stress is to cut something out of your life. Get rid of those things that are adding to your stress so you can experience more peace. Watching the news, being constantly connected to your digital devices, drinking alcohol, or too much caffeine may be adding more stress to your life.
Finding the best stress relief strategies may take some experimenting. Some strategies may take practice, too. But it is important to keep looking for the tools that will help you manage life’s inevitable ups and downs in a healthy way.
Take care of yourself.
Daniel J. Jachimiak, BA, is a Feature Writer/Journalist and Speaker. Dan can be reached at djachimiak@bex.net or 419-787-2036.
~ You can have a better life ~
