9 Stress-Reducing Activities Everyone Should Try

Stress is something everyone experiences in their lifetime. It can be triggered by many things: work, school, employment, and much more. It activates your fight-or-flight response, and while it is temporary, it can impact the health for the worst if stressors aren’t removed or managed. Prolonged stress is known to contribute to diabetes, obesity, and heart disease.

It’s also easier to get sick when you’re stressed out because your immune system is not working right. A simple cold that normally lasts two to three days may take up to weeks, so imagine if you were to get the more serious bugs and virus. Fortunately, you can do something about it.

The world is a hectic place, and everyone knows it. As much as it is desirable to just leave everything behind and go somewhere more relaxing, you can’t. You have responsibilities and bills to pay, along with other daily tasks. However, there are some things that can help reduce it.

1. Catch Up on Sleep

Sleeping is one of the most effective stress-management ways. When you’re stressed out about deadlines or anything happening in your life, you may not be sleeping well. A good night’s rest will help you recuperate as a full sleep can help repair the body and recharge the brain for the next day.

Although there may be some sort of connection between stress and sleep, there are others who cannot catch some z’s when they’re stressed out, and it may go on for many days. It may be hard, but it is a good idea to avoid caffeine, nicotine, and even alcohol if you’re planning to sleep. If you’re having some problems nodding off to dreamland, you can try deep-breathing exercises or listen to calming music. You can also try to take naps when you need them.

2. Try Meditating

If there’s one thing that every worker must know, it is the skill of meditating. Meditation is the practice of training to calm one’s mind, and there are many ways to go about this as everyone’s experience differs. If you’re completely new at this, it pays to invest some time to learn this skill as it is found to have healthful benefits to the body, including decreased anxiety, lower blood pressure, less stress, and deeper relaxation.

If you want to make meditation a habit, it is recommended to invest in a meditation chair or cushion especially for beginners. There are guides on how to do it on your own even if it’s your first time, but if you can find a teacher, you can learn either way. It is a useful skill that keeps on giving; the more you get better at it, the more rewarding it is for you.

3. Take a Stroll/Quick Run

An instant change of scenery can do wonders for your mental health. If you have a deadline approaching and you need a little breather, you can take a quick stroll or, if time allows it, a bit of run to help clear your mind. The release of endorphins will give you that positive boost to let you get work done or come up with new ideas.

4. Write Down Your Feelings

If you’re feeling a little overwhelmed or if you want to pour your thoughts out without necessarily having anyone hear about them, write them down. It is a simple and quick solution that will help you hold down as many thoughts as you can write. The trick to this is to jot down all your thoughts as they come. No need for sorting it out or filtering and you will find yourself feeling a surge of relief for letting those feelings out.

Whatever you write down is not important. Just the simple act of putting it on paper and ink is already cathartic on its own. However, if want to make your thoughts more permanent and legible, you should get a portable smart typewriter of your own.

Portable typewriters are distraction-free and, well, portable, so you can carry them anywhere. You can write as much as you like with no judgment and for as long as you like because the battery can last for weeks.

If you’d like to stay away from the prying and judging eyes of your social network, then type your thoughts somewhere safe. Don’t post it online for the world to see.

5. Do Arts & Crafts

Unless you’re in the arts and crafts business, doing something with your hands can actually help soothe tiredness and stress away. When you’re absorbed in clay making, scrapbooking, sewing and whatnot, you tend to only think about what you’re doing. In short, you’re productively distracting your mind from worries when you do something creative.

It’s always handy to have craft supplies nearby not only to get away from stress but cultivate your arts & crafts hobby as well. Consider buying supplies in bulk because it is cheaper and the more you see decorative papers, twines, and glitters, the more you’ll contemplate about pursuing a new art project. It’s always a good thing to have something to look forward to or an option to do when you just want to stay at home.

6. Listen to Favorite Tunes

Music is a huge mood booster, so it’s no wonder why people are more relaxed and less stressed when they listen to their favorite music. In fact, there have been scientific studies regarding its impact on stress levels. There is no threshold for the type of music because you can listen to any that gives you joy.

7. Get a Massage

Massage can do more than just to soothe tired muscles. In fact, the pressing and rubbing of the skin and muscles can actually help ease anxiety, insomnia, headaches, and many others. The great thing about getting a massage is that there’s no special preparation needed to get one and the comfort and stress release effects can be felt right away.

If it’s your first time getting a massage, communicate with your massage therapist so they may guide you through the process as well as give some suggestions on what type of massage you should get.

8. Reach Out to Loved Ones

If you’re stressed out, it is a good idea to seek out the company of your most favorite people. The presence of your loved ones can be enough to comfort you as you reconnect and talk about fond memories. There will be inevitable laughter, hugs, and even kissing, which is beneficial to your health. The same theory applies to pets too.

9. Address the Real Issue/s

Some of the activities mentioned above are just bandage solutions for the stress that an event has caused. The most effective way to reduce stress is to go to the root of the issue/s, address it, and then look for solutions for it. If it’s school that’s stressing you out, you can evaluate your choices and/or look for advice from those who are going through the same thing. If it’s work, perhaps a career change may be in order or a fresh start in a new company.

Whatever it is, there is always a solution to problems. All you need is a little time to think to yourself and to take a good look at what is on the table.

Do you have effective stress-reducing tips?