Ways to Reduce Stress – Motivation Monday

Everybody carries stress in their lives. Whether the cause is a hectic schedule, a tense relationship, or a confusing situation, these tips can help you calm down and bring you peace of mind. When you are calmer, cooler, and more collected, you will be able to make better decisions and further reduce stress in your life.

Ways to Reduce Stress

Exercise

One of the best ways to reduce stress is to exercise it away. A good workout can burn through emotional tension and pull your mind out of whatever thoughts it may be stuck in. Besides providing a mental distraction, exercise creates physical relaxation by working out all of the muscles in your body and wringing out any physical tension.

Exercise also creates a mental boost by creating a physiological reaction in your body, which provides the brain with enzymes that boost confidence, optimism, and give you a more positive outlook in general. Jogging, running, or lifting weights are examples of harder workouts that will make you sweat and take you far away from your problems.

Easier forms of exercise include walking, yoga, or stretching. These easy forms of exercise will give you the opportunity to decrease tension and increase relaxation.

Meditate

Although it may sound foreign or strange, mediation is a great way to relieve stress. Find a quiet, calm place where you can sit for at least a few minutes and simply focus on your breath. It may feel boring at first, but “watching your breath” is a tremendously helpful exercise that causes you to stop thinking about everything that is on your mind and makes you focus totally on yourself at the moment.

Try listening to yourself as you breathe in and out. Then, try counting your inhales and exhales until you can settle on a rhythm- for example, inhale while counting to five, hold for two, then exhale while counting to seven, hold for two, and start again. Try to make your exhale longer than your inhale. This will increase the amount of oxygen that you take in and help you feel healthier and more refreshed and mentally clear afterward.

Most traditions of meditation encourage you to try and “think nothing” to see if you can make your mind totally clear. This may be difficult at first, but it is possible. See how much noise you can clear from your mind for just a few minutes but up to an hour if possible. There are many good mediation apps that can help you get started.

Get a Massage, Facial, or other Spa Treatment

Massage is an ancient practice that involves rubbing and manipulating muscles and joints. It is very relaxing and healthy. Massage increases your blood flow to all areas of the body, including your limbs and your brain. This helps your body stay in balance and makes you feel calm and stable. Massage may also help untie knots and stiff areas of your body that need attention. This will help improve your posture and make your days more stress-free.

Facials can be relaxing and purgative. A facial, which includes steaming, scrubbing, and topical treatments, will put you in a relaxed state. Knowing that you have clear, glowing skin will also boost your confidence and put you in a better mental state. Other spa treatments like manicures and pedicures can help you relax and put you in a positive and pampered state of mind.

Try some of these simple tips for reducing stress in your life and helping to declutter your mind. All of these tips will boost confidence and feelings of well-being to put you in a more relaxed and positive mood.

 

You Are Also Going to Love: