6 Effective Ways to Manage Your Stress

Stress affects us all. Between our personal relationships with family and friends, work, and the current economy, it’s no secret that many of us are feeling overwhelmed. In a recent poll conducted by the Canadian Mental Health Association, they’ve revealed that about one-quarter of Canadians are feeling extremely stressed most days.

Managing stress can look different for everyone, because it affects us all in different ways. It’s important to identify the cause of your stress, so that you can start problem solving from there. The more specific you are about your stressors, the easier it is to work towards a solution. Here are 6 effective ways to manage stress.

1) Exercise One of the most effective methods for reducing stress and anxiety is exercise. It doesn’t have to be strenuous exercise, it can be something easy and low impact. As long as you are moving your body, whether it’s stretching or going for a walk for a few minutes each day, it can greatly improve your physical and mental wellbeing.

As you begin to regularly shed your daily tensions through movement and physical activity, you may find that this focus on a single task, and the resulting energy and optimism, can help you stay calm, clear and focused in everything you do.

mayoclinic, exercise and stress.

2) Journal Journaling is an effective tool that allows you to explore your thoughts and emotions. It’s an outlet that encourages you to pour your feelings onto a page, so that you are no longer holding them in or letting them replay over and over in your mind. Journaling provides clarity, which is exactly what you’ll need in order to identify what is causing you stress and how to work towards a solution.

3) Deep Breaths Stress can trigger a physical response, such as excess sweating or an increased heart rate. Deep breathing exercises are very effective for calming your nervous system. If you’re looking for some helpful techniques that are easy to follow, I recommend WebMD. I like using essential oils such as lavender, sweet orange, or peppermint to enhance the experience.

Your breath is a powerful tool to ease stress and make you feel less anxious. Some simple breathing exercises can make a big difference if you make them part of your regular routine.

webmd, breathing techniques for stress relief.

4) Take a Bath When our bodies are stressed, our muscles tense up which can cause us pain and discomfort. An effective way to soothe and relax sore muscles is by running a hot bath with epsom salts. Using essential oils and candles are great ways to turn your bathroom into a calmer environment. Spend some quality time with yourself to quietly reflect on the things that are important to you.

5) Music Music is a powerful tool that can instantly improve your mood. This can be an upbeat playlist, instrumentals, or my personal favorite, Solfeggio frequencies. The different frequencies and tones have the ability to balance your energy, making you feel calmer and relaxed.

Music is effective for relaxation and stress management. Researchers at Stanford University have said that “listening to music seems to be able to change brain functioning to the same extent as medication.” They noted that music is something that almost anybody can access and makes it an easy stress reduction tool.

university of nevada, releasing stress.

6) Read or Listen to an Audiobook There’s nothing more relaxing than unwinding with a good book. Whether you enjoy physical books, e-Books, or audiobooks, there are many great finds that’ll take your mind elsewhere for a temporary escape or teach you something new along the way. There are so many genres to choose from, so you can be sure to find something to suit your mood each time.

There are many factors in our lives that can cause us stress, but there are also healthy ways to manage it. Have you been feeling more stressed lately? What are some methods you use to decompress? I’d love to hear your thoughts. For more posts relating to wellness, visit my tag here.