A little stress in life – whether you’re watching Gareth’s boys beat Italy on penalties in the Euros final or waiting to take an important exam – is an inevitability.
It’s simply impossible to go through life without experiencing it at all, and frankly, a little stress can even be good for us, in the right measures and when channelled appropriately.
But when stress becomes more pervasive, permanent and difficult to handle, it can lead to discomfort and further health problems, such as anxiety, depression, high blood pressure and cardiovascular issues.
If you feel as though your stress levels are getting the better of you, it’s important that you have some healthy coping mechanisms that allow you to wind down, take your mind off the pressures of everyday life, and your foot off the pedal.
Sure, you probably already know about the benefits of meditation and the power of exercise, but here are a few strategies that you might not have considered; our 6 surprising ways to de-stress.
KEEP YOUR HOUSE TIDY
A clear mind starts with a clear space.
And if your house is cluttered from head to toe – or rather, floor to ceiling – then it’s unlikely you’ll be able to think with the clarity required to keep stress and worry at bay.
It’s great to have a daily or weekly routine that helps you keep on top of things, but occasionally you may need to invest in a little extra help. For instance, you can probably sort out that pile of clothes in your room (you know the one) by yourself, but that wine stain that’s hiding underneath? You know, that reminder of a messier time in your life? The experts at Advanced Chem-Dry recommend a carbonated carpet solution, which ‘’effervesces and the bubbles penetrate deep into the carpet pile’’ – sometimes, professional solutions are the only way when cleaning.
They say that your home is your castle, your oasis of calm and where the heart is, but if those arteries are clogged, that oasis dry and that castle crumbling, then it’s no surprise you’re seeking stress relief tips online. Keep your place tidy, and a clarity of thought and perspective will naturally follow.
STOP TRYING TO GET AHEAD
You’re stressed with work, so you do a little extra to try and get ahead, right? Sure we’ve all been there. But do you really need to be clocking an extra four hours’ overtime on a Friday night?
Not only is overworking simply not good for you, but sitting in front of the TV with your laptop isn’t making you any more productive – oh, unless you’re reading IDEAL magazine from your sofa, of course.
Free time is essential for proper rest and relaxation, and without it, your brain is constantly running on burnout mode without reprieve. It’s why you must never cheat yourself out of your much-needed wind-down time – you’ll be all the better for it.
SELF LOVE
Now that the calendar is cleared, there’s no shame in enjoying the pleasure of your own company. Yep, we mean that you should avail yourself of some of the stress relief benefits of regular sex by practicing self love, in both the most euphemistic and literal sense. Indeed, masturbation releases dopamine and oxytocin, which can reduce stress causing cortisol levels, and as such, many include it in their ‘self care routines’…
RECONNECT WITH THE NATURAL WORLD
The UK’s leading mental health charity, Mind, recommend reconnecting with the natural world in order to reduce stress and improve your wellbeing. And honestly, after a year of largely being stuck indoors, this is music to our ears.
They go on to list several ways in which nature can benefit your mental health, including mood improvement, reduction of stress and anger, and helping you feel more relaxed. And that’s what you’re here for, right?
Reconnecting with the natural world needn’t mean undertaking an outward bounds, 7 day hike which Bear Grylls would struggle to complete, but rather, simply making the time to spend a few moments outdoors each day. Now the weather is warming up and the evenings are getting lighter, why not endeavour to take your lunch break in a park or enjoy a brisk walk after work through some greenery? Research published by Cornell University in 2020 found that even 10 minutes in a natural setting can lessen the effects of both physical and mental stress. Every little helps!
A HEALTHY DIET & VITAMIN SUPPLEMENTS
Your diet also plays a crucial role in mindset management, and there are several foods which have been linked to stress reduction. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, via Everyday Health, foods containing Omega-3 have been shown to reduce stress and anxiety when enjoyed as part of a balanced diet. Avocados, oily fish such as salmon and mackerel, nuts and seeds all contain generous amounts of the stuff. If you feel like you’re not getting enough Omega-3 in your diet, through conventional means, supplements are available.
Fermented foods high in probiotics and healthy gut bacteria, such as kimchi, sauerkraut, yoghurt and miso, may also help relieve stress; no wonder they call your gut the ‘second mind’. Again, supplements are available should you not relish the rich, complex tang of such foods.
Read: 6 tips for managing stress through food
THE BOTTOM LINE
Though tried, tested and GP recommended stress relief strategies are still the best way to manage feelings of pressure and tension, we hope you’ve found some inspiration for a holistic approach to managing your mood above.