Can you ever really eliminate stress from your life? Some people you ask might say yes, while others will be adamant that some stress levels will be present in your life regardless of what you do. But what we do know is that living with ongoing stress can lead to many mental and physical health issues, including anxiety, depression, increased headaches, pain levels, poor sleep, and an increased risk of heart conditions and stroke.
The APA found that around three-quarters of Americans have experienced one sign of stress in the past month, and 80% of Americans feel stress on the job, meaning that a significant number of people have increased stress levels daily.
But what can you do to reduce stress and help you regain your equilibrium?
Offload
Bottling up your feelings and keeping your stressors to yourself can make everything feel a million times worse, and this can impound your stress over time, making it seem unmanageable. A great way to help you make sense of your feelings and begin to address your stress, the cause, and the impact it has on you is to tell someone what you are experiencing. They might not be able to physically help, but sharing can make things seem considerably easier and allow you to remove all those thoughts from your head and express your feelings to give yourself an outlet. From here, you can use this opportunity to plan how to move forward and start working on your issues.
Meditate
Studies have found that two short bursts of meditation per day can be effective in reducing stress levels and helping reduce anxieties. Mediation involves clearing one’s mind, focusing on the here and now, and pushing everything else out of one’s head. It can take some practice to master, but persevering can help reduce stress and reduce signs of depression and mental health symptoms.
Use Essential Oils and Calming Products
Essential oils such as lavender, chamomile, and sandalwood have long been used for their stress-busting and relaxation properties. Adding a drop of oil to diffusers in your room, on your pillow, or around the home can help you relax, unwind, and ease stress, allowing you to get some calm and relaxation in your life.
Other practices that can help you alleviate stress include:
- Using massage products, such as massagers or a massage chair.
- Using CBD products or THC vape pens.
- Eye masks.
- Even relaxing bubble baths.
Sleep
It might seem counterintuitive to mention sleep, especially because stress is a significant factor in disrupted sleep. However, if you can commit to getting a good night’s sleep and have around 7 to 9 hours per night, your problems won’t be as big once you’re properly rested. That being said, it might be that you need to use some other stress-busting techniques to help you reduce your stress and improve your sleeping habits first, but a good night’s sleep can be incredibly restorative for both the body and the mind.
Tackling your stressors might seem like a big challenge and even scary. However, living with stress is healthy, and it can harm your health in many ways. These tips can help you reduce stress levels and improve your quality of life.