Stress is part of our daily lives.Sometimes it can be a good thing – as a healthy amount of stress can provide excitement and motivation. But most of the time, stress can be overwhelming, and lead to anxiety and other frustrations. Use these tactics to decrease stress and anxiety in your daily life.
Listen to music
Listening to music can offer a number of benefits when it comes to mental and physical health, including helping with anxiety. Music is show to be able to help with anxiety – even to the same level that a massage might provide relaxation and relief from anxiety. The next time you’re feeling overwhelmed, like if you have a big test on the uconn final exam schedule study for or another high-pressure scenario, put on some soothing music.
Breathe
Breathing is a vital function of our day-to-day life, but it’s rare that we take the deep breaths that really nourish us and give our body what it needs. The next time you’re feeling anxious, practice deep, restorative breathing. Try square breathing: Take a deep breath for three seconds, hold it for three seconds, exhale for three seconds, and then hold out for three seconds again. Then repeat at least three more times, and remind yourself to doit often throughout the day. This can easily transform your daily stress levels– you just have to remember to do it.
Eat healthy foods
When you’re feeling stressed, your health can very easily take a back seat. You neglect your fitness and your eating habits, and may just turn to eating whatever is most easily available. But to help with reducing anxiety, it’s important to put good things into your body and drink plenty of water. Try to eat lots of vegetables, and turn to high protein snacks when you need something to nosh on. Keep sugar at bay and turn to some relaxing tea at night if you need something to satiate your sweet tooth after dinner.
In addition, make sure you are staying hydrated. When your body is dehydrated, you feel sluggish and lack energy, which can enhance feelings of anxiety. Keep a big water bottle close by and commit to drinking from it every 30 minutes to an hour.
Do things that make you happy
A surefire way to fight and lessen anxiety is by shifting attention away from the things that are worrying you, and spend some time doing something that makes you happy. Even if it’s just for 20 or 30 minutes, doing something that gives you joy will trigger the release of endorphins in your body, when will help decrease anxiety.
Don’t forget to sleep
Sleep is so important. But when you’re stressed and anxious – when you have a lot on your plate that you are grappling with, it’s easy to try to stay up later to accomplish all that you need to do, and let sleeping take a back seat. Especially when you’re feeling stressed, you need to make a point to prioritize your sleep. Aim to get at least 6 to 8 hours of sleep per night.