5 Easy Ways to De-Stress

Everyone is so busy these days, juggling lots of different things, chasing their tails!  Here are five easy ways to feel less stressed.

1. Laugh

Laughter has been found to reduce the levels of stress hormones, lower blood pressure and produce a sense of well-being.  What makes you laugh? Maybe a funny television show or film, maybe you have a laugh with friends and family or recalling a funny event.  Maybe you can remember one of those times when you know it’s really inappropriate to laugh but you just can’t stop and the more you try and stop, the more you laugh!  When was the last time you had a really good laugh?

2. Gentle Exercise

The symptoms of stress and anxiety such as a racing heart, shallow breathing, that adrenaline that gives you those butterflies in your tummy – are an exercise response. It’s your body’s way of getting you ready to ‘fight or flight.’   So if you find yourself feeling stressed or anxious, gentle exercise is a good way to burn off those symptoms.  Walking or yoga – nothing too strenuous, can help you feel much calmer.   When you are calm, you are far more productive and able to concentrate.

3. Meditate Daily

Meditation has become very popular these days and for good reason.  It can have wonderful effects on your emotional well-being for very little effort.  Just 10 minutes a day can help you feel calmer, clearer and focused.  An app such as Headspace is a great way to get going.

4. Make a List

Writing down everything you think you have to do, then prioritising is a great way to help you regain control of stress thoughts.  You can focus on one thing at a time and get it done, rather than spinning lots of plates and struggling to finish anything.

5. Unplug

It’s impossible to escape stress when it follows you everywhere and so many of spend so much time staring at our smart phones or computers.  Have a break from looking at your phone, laptop and television each day.  Even if it’s just for 10 or 15 minutes.  It’s very liberating! There’s a good quote I saw somewhere saying, ‘When things are not working as you like, switch them off for a while before switching back on.” This works for us too!