5 Ways To Reduce Stress So You Don’t Resort To Food
The dog is barking, the kids are screaming, you cannot find your car keys, the clock says 8:22 a.m., and you were supposed to have everyone out of the house by 7:45 a.m. With today’s hectic lifestyle, it seems as though just about everyone is stressed out most of the time. This chaotic environment leads many people to comfort themselves with food. Unfortunately, this often causes further stress from weight gain. It is possible to reduce stress for both your mental and physical health. Below are five ways to reduce stress so you don’t resort to food.
1. Try Meditation: Meditation does not have to involve mats, incense, or contorting your body into shapes not meant for humans. Any activity that you enjoy doing that keeps your mind focused, and gives you a sense of calm can be a form of meditation. Taking an evening walk, a leisurely swim, tending to a garden, or working on your favorite craft project can do wonders for your stress level. If you feel your mind drifting back toward stressful things in life (such as appointments, your list of things to do, your job, or relationship problems) just bring yourself back into the activity completely and focus only on your actions.
2. Just Breathe: When the body becomes tense and overwhelmed with stress, breathing becomes shallow and rapid. An easy way to help reduce stress immediately is to consciously modify the pace of your breathing. A simple relaxation breathing exercise is as follows: Exhale, as if you are letting out a big sigh. Drop your chest, and allow the air to empty from your body through semi-puckered lips. Take a large breath in, pulling it from your stomach, and allowing it to fill your chest, sides, and back. Exhale again, the same as before, allowing your entire body to relax. Repeat this process five to ten times, and each time you should notice your body feeling a bit more relaxed.
3. Schedule Tea Time: Drinking hot tea can be very therapeutic. The warm liquid comforts your body and your mind. Teas such as green tea and chamomile have calming properties that help to reduce stress. Black tea has also been found to have stress fighting properties. If you usually drink coffee in the morning, try switching to tea. Coffee has been shown to raise stress hormones such as cortisol, which will only make you feel tenser in stressful situations.
4. Give Yourself A Hand: A calming self-massage can do wonders for relieving stress. Try placing both hands on your shoulders or neck. Gently squeeze using your fingers and your palms. Keep your shoulders relaxed, and continue to rub in a circular motion. Massaging your arms can also help you relax. Wrap one hand around your opposite forearm. Gently squeeze your forearm with your thumb and fingers, moving up and down from your elbow to your wrist. Repeat this several times. These massages can be done quickly and privately at your desk at work, while stuck in traffic, or while waiting.
5. Change Your Attitude: When you feel yourself becoming stressed out, change your thought process. Think positively and about something that makes you feel happy. Think of that vacation you have been planning, a romantic evening with your spouse, a walk with your dog, or a fun filled afternoon with your children. Whatever thought makes you feel happy can help your entire body feel relaxed. By thinking positively your body not only releases tension, your heart slows to a healthy rhythm, and your mind becomes more peaceful.
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