Dealing with stress is never fun—from difficult work situations to everyday struggles, stress impedes everything from our sleep schedules to our appetites. Let’s dive into a couple of simple ways you can bring your mind some peace.
1. Exercise Regularly
When we’re stressed, the last thing we want is to engage in something difficult—all that sweating and weight-lifting surely won’t do much for our stress, right? Well, regular exercise actually helps lower stress hormones and boost endorphins! It also helps improve your sleep.
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2. Practice Gratitude
It’s easy to get in our heads when we’re stressed, which is why it’s up to us to change the narrative. Practicing gratitude with a journal or through daily affirmations can pivot your focus to all the good in your life. This practice has also been shown to improve mood and help keep stress levels down.
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3. Make Time for Leisure
As busy as life is, you should still work leisure into your schedule. Pursuing activities or hobbies you enjoy gives the mood boost you’re looking for. You can even look into new hobbies such as painting or gardening, especially because they’re soothing.
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4. Eat a Balanced Diet
Food has always played a part in how good we feel, so eating a balanced diet is an important part of mood management. Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, whole grains, and leafy greens can all keep stress levels down and promote healthier brain function.
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5. Take Technology Breaks
Doom scrolling does more harm than good for our stress, even if it doesn’t seem that way. But between all the internal comparisons, brain rot, and blue light, too much screen time only heightens our stress—take frequent breaks for better mental health.
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6. Get Enough Sleep
It’s easier said than done, of course, but a good night’s sleep is paramount to keeping stress levels down. Regular sleep routines ensure you get the rest you need, improve mood and cognitive function, and help to calm an anxious mind.
7. Try Yoga
Yoga is a happy medium even if working out isn’t your thing—through breathing exercises and meditation, you can practice physical exercise that improves flexibility and strength. All the while, you’ll also work on your inner relaxation, which helps keep stress down.
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8. Mindful Breathing Techniques
Proper breathing techniques can not only curb anxiety but also promote better sleep and ward off stress. If you’re wondering which works best for you, dozens of techniques target specific struggles, so you can always hone in on ones that cater to stress reduction.
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9. Listen to Music
Music can pump us up for a good workout, bring a tear to our eyes, or calm our nerves. Though it’s not a permanent solution for chronic stress, music can still reduce anxiety, lower blood pressure, and help you relax.
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10. Avoid Caffeine
Though morning coffee isn’t a huge contributor, overconsumption can quickly increase anxiety or interfere with sleep cycles. It’s important to stick to moderate amounts so you don’t exacerbate any symptoms.
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11. Spend Time in Nature
It’s hard for the mind to wander with nature’s beauty all around—natural environments can reduce stress, improve mood, and help us get our daily steps in. A simple walk or even sitting on a park bench at lunch can give your mind the break it needs.
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12. Laugh More
We all know the benefits of a hearty laugh! Laughter releases endorphins, decreases stress, and improves our overall mood, so try and work a chuckle into your day. Whether it’s chatting with friends or sitting down for a comedy special, laughter does wonders for the soul.
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13. Start Saying No
Work is often one of the biggest stressors, which is why it’s important to take care of yourself first. The power of no can set healthy boundaries with demanding employers and free up your schedule.
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14. Avoid Bad Habits
Chronic stress can lead to all kinds of unhealthy coping mechanisms—overeating, excessive alcohol consumption, or doom scrolling through our phones are harmful “solutions.” Seeking therapy or trying healthier strategies helps keep stress down for good.
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15. More Self-Care
Stress can take us away from beneficial forms of self-care. Recognizing stressful triggers and discovering healthy coping mechanisms not only wards off stress but gives your mind the TLC it deserves. Take that bubble bath!
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16. Practice Acceptance
A cornerstone of stress management is understanding that you can’t control everything. Practicing acceptance can help you realize “perfection” is an unreasonable expectation, and some things aren’t worth worrying about because you can’t change them.
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17. Set Realistic Goals
While we’re on the subject, setting realistic goals is a good way to attain them. Don’t strive for perfection or push to do more—putting undue pressure on yourself is a surefire way to bring on more stress.
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18. Guided Imagery
Sometimes the best thing we can do is drift into a pleasant fantasy. Now, keep in mind there’s a massive difference between guided imagery and daydreaming—guided imagery allows you to think of somewhere peaceful, but is more structured whereas daydreaming is often out of our control.
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19. Volunteer
Volunteering allows you to do some community good, which helps boost your mood. It also gives a sense of purpose and can open the door to new friendships. Even if you don’t have much time to spare, some places welcome an hour or two a week of service.
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20. Seek Help
Chronic stress is no joke—it’s debilitating, gets in the way of our jobs and relationships, and may even lead to health conditions. If stress has taken over your life, odds are you need more than a simple breathing technique, and therapy could be a good way to get back on track.
