Are you ready to take active steps to reduce stress on a daily basis? If so, I encourage you to develop a daily habit that helps you accomplish just that. Stress not only reduces your quality of life, but it can also negatively affect your health. There’s a reason why they say stress kills. Start doing something about it and embrace life to the fullest with these simple techniques to help you stress less.
Start Meditating
One of the best tools for reducing stress is meditation. You don’t need to be an expert to start benefiting from meditation. Begin with a simple breathing meditation by finding a comfortable, quiet spot. Focus on relaxing and think about nothing but your breath.
If you’re new to meditation, try some of the free guided meditations available online. There are also wonderful apps that can turn your smartphone into your favorite new meditation device. Consistency is key, so set aside a few minutes each day to meditate and watch the stress melt away. Even five minutes of daily meditation can make a significant difference in how you handle stress.
Here's a meditation about letting go of expectations from Freeing the Butterfly.
Keep a Journal
This one may surprise you, but keeping a journal is an incredibly effective tool to help you worry and stress less. The simple act of writing about what’s on your mind can be incredibly freeing. It allows you to process your thoughts and emotions, which can reduce stress.
Additionally, a journal is a great tool to help you look back and figure out what’s triggering periods of high stress. This is valuable information to have because you can’t work towards reducing or eliminating a trigger if you don’t know what it is. Make journaling a daily habit, even if it’s just for a few minutes before bed.
Go for a Walk
Another simple yet powerful technique is to go for a walk. Getting outside, if possible, is ideal because nature itself has calming effects. However, if that’s not an option, walking on a treadmill or pacing around your house works too. Walking helps to clear your mind and reduce stress.
If you only have ten minutes, take a walk. If you have an hour lunch break, walk for 20 minutes and spend the rest of the time relaxing and eating. The key is to make walking a regular part of your routine. The physical activity, combined with a change of scenery, can work wonders for your stress levels.
Embrace the Power of a Hug
That’s right. Something as simple as a hug can help you relax and fight stress. Make sure the hug is genuine on both sides and for the best results, hold the embrace for at least twenty seconds. You’ll start to feel yourself calm, and those endorphins will flood your system.
If you don’t have anyone around to hug at the moment, laughing out loud is a powerful alternative. Watch a comedy that makes you laugh until you cry. Both hugs and laughter release endorphins, which help reduce stress and improve your mood.
Clean Up Your Diet
Last but not least, take a look at what you’re putting into your body. A clean diet of mostly whole foods that’s low in sugars and preservatives will nourish your body and combat much of the damage stress causes. Eating a balanced diet helps you feel more in control and can significantly impact your stress levels. Start making small changes, like incorporating more fruits and vegetables into your meals or reducing your intake of processed foods. Over time, these changes will help you feel better physically and emotionally.
Final Thoughts on Reducing Stress
Reducing stress doesn’t have to be complicated. By incorporating these simple daily habits into your routine, you can significantly reduce your stress levels and improve your overall well-being. Remember, it’s about making small, manageable changes that you can maintain in the long run. Start today, and take the first step towards a calmer, healthier, and happier life.
