Stress Begone!
It’s a sad fact that stress is now part of our daily life, triggered several times a day, like when the kids refuse to eat breakfast, we’re cut off in traffic by a rude driver or we’re faced with a mountain of emails as we switch on our computer.
Since it’s unlikely that the trials of modern life are going to change anytime soon, the best thing we can do for ourselves is have some strategies on hand to manage our daily dose of stress. Rather than popping a tranquiliser, try one of these:
Breathe
When we get stressed, our breathing gets shallower and the flow of oxygen to our brain is reduced, making it really difficult to think straight. The answer is simple: just breathe. Focus on taking long, slow breaths and push that air all the way down to the bottom of your lungs (if you’re doing it right, your stomach will actually rise as you breathe in) and then all the way out again. Even if you manage only five really deep breaths, it will make a world of difference to your ability to cope with whatever’s going on.
Go for a walk in nature
Spending time in nature is one of the best ways to relax, partly because the colour green has an extremely calming effect. Plus you’re getting some exercise, which helps to reduce tension, and breathing in extra oxygen from the plants. Walking on a beach (or near any water) is also very uplifting as the movement of the water produces ironically-named negative ions. These help to balance the electrical charge in our bodies and make us feel good.
Change your thoughts
The more we focus on what’s bothering us, the more stressed we get. That’s not to say it’s a good idea to stick your head in the sand, but do what you can to manage the situation, then move on. Notice when you’re focussing on what’s stressing you, and think about something that makes you feel good instead. You could also try listing all the things that are going right in your life, or that you’re grateful for, to help balance out your perspective.
There are many ways to tackle stress and the key is to find the ones that work for you. Keep experimenting until you feel that calm flowing over you.
