Minor challenges to major crises, stresses are a part of life. You can’t always control your circumstances. However, you can control how you respond to them! Here are a few tricks on how to relieve stress.

EXERCISE AND GET ACTIVE

Virtually any form of physical activity can act as a stress reliever. Even if you’re not an athlete or you’re out of shape, exercise can still be a good way to cut down on stress.  Exercise and other physical activity produce endorphin chemicals in the brain which will relieve stress. Need some at-home exercise ideas? Check out our blog – Cardio You Can Do at Home.

FOCUS ON BREATHING

Just focusing on your breathing or changing the way you breathe can make a big difference to your overall stress level. Breathing techniques can calm your body and your brain in just a few minutes. Deep breathing is easy to learn. You can do it at any time, in any place, like this:

  • Breathe in slowly and deeply, pushing your stomach out so that your diaphragm is put to maximum use

  • Hold your breath briefly

  • Exhale slowly

  • Repeat the entire sequence until you feel unstressed!

GET A HOBBY

Hobbies are a natural anti-depressant. Your brain releases a neurotransmitter called dopamine when you do something pleasurable. Hobbies can be anything from playing darts to making a scrapbook or building a puzzle. Find the hobby that’s right for you and de-stress!

BOTTOM LINE

Keeping stress at a manageable level is important for your overall well-being. It is important that you find a stress reliever that will help you manage life’s inevitable ups and downs in a healthy way.  Now, more than ever, we need to support each other and learn how to manage stress!