Helpful Tips for Destressing
Stress is a feeling of emotional or physical tension and is the body’s way of responding to any kind of demand or threat. The body’s defenses kick into gear in a rapid, automatic process known as the “fight-or-flight” reaction. When functioning properly, this stress response can help you stay focused, energetic, and alert.
While stress was originally meant to protect you, oftentimes it can leave you feeling frazzled and overwhelmed. Constant stress, whether it be from bills, an unhappy marriage, or a heavy workload, can harm the body and your overall health. Health problems caused by stress include:
- Depression and anxiety
- Pain of any kind
- Sleep problems
- Autoimmune diseases
- Digestive problems
- Skin conditions
- Heart disease
- Weight problems
5 Ways to Destress
There are many healthy, proven ways to destress. Here are some helpful tips to relieve stress fast:
Exercise
Exercise and physical activity are crucial components of good health. Not only does exercise and physical activity improve overall fitness, but it can relieve stress, reduce depression, and improve cognitive function.
Physical activity can help lower stress levels, improving your quality of life, both mentally and physically. When you work out or engage in physical activity, you are improving your body’s ability to use oxygen, improving blood flow. These changes have a direct effect on your brain. Exercise also increases the production of endorphins, also known as “feel-good” neurotransmitters.
Meditate
Meditation is becoming more and more popular as a stress reliever among people of all ages. This quick-fix stress reliever can help you reverse your body’s stress response and physically relax. Meditation involves sitting in a relaxed position and completely clearing your mind.
Meditation can bring great benefits to those who carry a lot of stress on their shoulders because it affects the body in exactly the opposite ways that stress does. Instead of triggering the body’s “fight-or-flight” reaction, meditation triggers the body’s relaxation response, helping restore the body to a calm state.
Laughter
As silly as it may sound, laughter really is the best medicine. Laughing triggers healthy physical and emotional changes in the body. It also strengthens the immune system, relaxes muscles, adds joy and zest to life, eases anxiety and tension, and relieves stress. Try surrounding yourself with those who make you smile and laugh the most.
Make yourself a priority
Your mental and physical health should always be your top priority. When tension spikes, we tend to put ourselves last. It is necessary to prioritize healthy eating, physical activity, relationships, and sleep to avoid making your stress worse.
Find ways to destress
Everyone handles stress differently. Simple things, such as going on a hike, drawing, listening to music, or taking a warm bath, can relieve stress. It is important to unwind and do the things that help you cope with your stress.
Contact
Our providers at Mile High Psychiatry want to help you become the best version of yourself. We do this through a combination of psychotherapy and cognitive tools. To learn more about our process or to request an appointment, contact us today.
