6 Stress Management Techniques You Should Know About

Stress

The response of our body to a challenge or condition is stress. We all experience stress in routine lives. It can have various triggers from a small inconvenience to unemployment or loss of love. We should manage stress to avoid its negative effects. Otherwise, it can leave both physical and mental effects including elevated heart rate and blood pressure, dizziness, insomnia, fear, depression and anger. There are various ways to manage stress but here are the 6 most important techniques you should know about stress management.

1: Physical Activity

Physical activity is not only important to maintain shape and a healthy weight but it also helps us to manage stress. Studies have shown that those who exercise regularly are less likely to experience stress. Because exercise allow our brain to release Dopamine (a natural feel-good hormone) which helps us to stay motivated and happy. If you exercise regularly, its good. Otherwise, whenever you feel stressed out, go out for a stroll or take the bike for a ride. You will see after a few minutes; your stress will be released.

2: Meditation

Meditation is becoming more popular these days, thanks to its mental benefits. It helps us in increasing focus, imagination, patience, creativity, mindfulness and self-awareness— allowing us to reduce negativity, anxiety, confusion and distractions. Numerous apps are available on Play Store and App Store that you can use for guided meditation. Practice meditation for 10-15 minutes daily or in stressful conditions can really make a big difference.

3: Eat Balanced Diet

Balanced diet has more benefits than just making you full and providing enough vitamins. It helps us to make a good hormonal balance that reduces our stress hormones like cortisol and increases feel-good hormones, such as dopamine. Eating balance diet give us more energy to stay active and perform daily tasks with less efforts that ultimately reduces the chances of stress.

4: Get Plenty of Sleep

Getting enough sleep is necessary to recover after a tiring day. But its benefits are not limited to recovery, sleep management also helps us to prevent depression, anxiety, fear and stress. If you take 6 to 8 hours of sleep daily, you will be less prone to stress. Proper sleep increases motivation and alleviates mood while reducing stress. Sleep also works as an anti-depressant and allows us to recover from other chronic conditions like hypertension and obesity.

5: Stop Using Tobacco and Nicotine

People are often addicted to tobacco and nicotine and use it as a stress reliver. But in the long term, our brain becomes addicted of the dopamine dose released after using tobacco or smoking a cigarette. As a result, tobacco or nicotine reduces blood flow and starts to increase stress instead of reducing it. Getting rid of smoking or tobacco can help us reduce stress and manage it naturally.

6: Identify and Reduce Stress Triggers

If you are among those people who feel stress under certain conditions or circumstances. Or you expect a lot in less time, identify and reduce stress triggers. Most of the times, stress is not a result of a big loss but an outcome of a small condition or situation. Reducing your expectations, learning self-management skills and taking time for yourself can be a game changer.

Final Thoughts

Conclusively, stress has numerous effects on health. Managing stress is important in the long term to avoid severe mental and health conditions. Physical activity, meditation, balanced diet and sleep management can help us control stress efficiently. We can use these strategies to quickly respond to stressful situations and events and avoid its negative effects.