Twenty-first-century life can be stressful. With fast-paced working environments becoming the norm and busy home lives to balance with work and friendships, it can be difficult to manage day-to-day anxiety. It is easy to feel overwhelmed. If you feel like stress is getting the better of you, here are five simple things you can do to destress and alleviate tension.
1. Start Saying No
Saying no is difficult for a lot of people. You might feel like you are letting someone down or coming across as lazy or arrogant.
But saying yes to everything often leads to taking on too much. Nobody can do everything, so practice saying no when people ask you to do something. If you do not have the time or energy to do somebody a favor, tell them. Even if you do have time to take on something else, it is okay to say no from time to time.
If you are nervous about letting people down, just explain: You have got a lot on your plate and do not think you can take anything else on. Nobody will blame you for making yourself a priority.
2. Declutter Your Home
Mess in the home has been scientifically proven to lead to increased levels of stress and anxiety. If you are feeling overwhelmed by mess and clutter, an easy thing to do is to tidy up.
Throw away, donate, or sell any old and unwanted possessions—clothes, books, children’s toys—and consider putting things you do not use often into storage. There are great storage options available, such as Storage Manchester, which offers storage options to suit every need. Take the opportunity to clear your home and feel your stress start to disappear.
3. Try Meditation
Meditation and mindfulness practices are all the rage these days, but there are many benefits to meditation, reduction of stress included. Meditation involves focusing carefully on your breath in an attempt to clear your mind. It requires your full attention. Mindfulness, on the other hand, means going about your day with awareness of the world around you and how it makes you feel. You can practice mindfulness anywhere, anytime.
Both meditation and mindfulness are fantastic for reducing stress as they allow you to be present and focus on the joys of life. Give it a try.
4. Take Time for Things You Enjoy
It can be hard to find time for yourself, but spending time doing something you love is a great way to alleviate tension. Whether it is exercising, baking a cake, reading a good book, or relaxing into a bubble bath, doing something you enjoy will flood your body with happy hormones and reduce stress.
5. Avoid Alcohol
It is tempting to turn to alcohol and other crutches when you are feeling stressed out, but alcohol tends to make stress worse. Alcohol is a depressant that affects the chemical balance of your brain, amplifying any problems of stress or anxiety. If you are already tense, a glass of wine or a beer in the evening might be what you want, but it is not what you need.
If stress is starting to affect your life in the long term, you should seek medical help. In the meantime, these easy methods should help to bring your everyday stress levels down, helping you to relax and get on with your life.