It’s a stressful time to be alive, with work, family life, never being away from your phone, just generally having too much going on, it is difficult to get away from stress. Add that to the fact that stress is taken for granted these days as “part of life” and something we just accept. Being so busy you can barely breath is considered a good thing. A bragging right. This is not healthy, and it can be very damaging and toxic to our wellbeing.
Mental Symptoms of stress include difficulty concentrating, having a negative outlook on life, experiencing anxious or racing thoughts, and constant worrying. Emotional Symptoms include general moodiness, agitation, anger, and the inability to relax, feeling overwhelmed with life, feeling lonely and isolated, and suffering from depression or general unhappiness You might even get physical symptoms such as aches and pains in the body, diarrhea or constipation, bowel problems, nausea, dizziness, vertigo, chest pain, rapid heartbeat, pounding of the heart and you might find that you have a change in eating habits, and find yourself having too little or too much sleep.
If you find you are suffering from these symptoms, then you might be suffering from stress, and if that is the case, you need to find ways to relax. This can be hard, but if you make an effort to put aside time to relax you will find it extremely helpful. Here are a few things you can do:
How To Relax The Mind
If you want to switch off, then practicing meaningful meditation is an excellent way to do this. There are plenty of mindfulness apps now, which will also teach you breathing techniques for relaxation, which are really effective. Other things you could try include soaking in a warm bath, listening to soothing music, reading, and writing about your feelings.
How To Relax The Body
Taking a yoga class or practicing it at home is an excellent way to relax your body. It is good for the mind too, as generally exercising is useful for decreasing stress as it makes you feel good. You could also try progressive muscle relaxation, which involves tensing and relaxing each muscle group. Progressive muscle relaxation can reduce anxiety and muscle tension, and if you have trouble falling asleep, this method may also help with that.
When you relax your muscles, your body gets the signal that it is okay to fall asleep. Other ways to relax your body include going for a walk or doing some other physical activity and making time to do things that you enjoy.
You could also go for a massage or have a warm drink that doesn’t have alcohol or caffeine in it, such as herbal tea or warm milk. As well as herbal tea, there are other supplements which can help with stress and anxiety. B Vitamins are vital to a healthy nervous system. They may also help improve symptoms of anxiety and depression, so taking a supplement may help you to relax.
Zed strain is another thing you could take to lull you into a substantial relaxation or try Chamomile, which is widely accepted as a natural remedy for anxiety symptoms.
How do you approach self-care and relaxation? Let us know in the comments below!
