Battling with anxiety and stress? Too much stress can take a toll on your mental and physical health. Stress is a normal part of life, but when your stress becomes excessive or constant, it can start to affect you negatively.
There're several common sources of stress in everyone's life, such as work obligations, family conflicts, financial worries, and relationship issues. These external factors can create anxiety or stress in you if you’re not careful. However, there are also many natural ways you can relax and reduce stress at the same time.
Best Anxiety and Stress Reduction Techniques
Here are some of the best relaxation techniques for anxiety and stress reduction you can do to help alleviate stress and regain your happy place:
Breathe correctly
If you’re stressed, many people will tell you to calm down and take deep breaths. However, breathing is a very important part of human experience, but a lot of people breathe incorrectly.
When we’re stressed out, we tend to go into 'fight or flight' mode, so we breathe very quickly and shallowly. That triggers the 'fight' part of the brain, while the 'flight' part of the brain gets triggered, which causes anxiety, nervousness, and even anger.
The key to breathing correctly is to consciously slow down your breathing. You can do that by counting from one to ten in your head or by taking a couple of slow breaths, pausing for an inhale and exhale before doing something else.
Visit a Park or Garden
If you’re suffering from anxiety and stress, a great way to relax is to get outside and take a walk. If you’re feeling particularly anxious, you can go somewhere calmer, like a park or garden.
There are many benefits to getting outside and being in nature. It can help you get your frustrations out and relieve stress. Studies have shown that spending time in nature is very relaxing, especially for people with high anxiety levels. It can reduce blood pressure, fight off bad bacteria in the body, lower stress level, and even reduce depression and improve mental health.
So, the next time you feel anxious or stressed out, take a walk outside or visit a nearby park or garden. You will feel so much better.
Practice Yoga Asanas (posture)
Yoga is a great tool for stress and anxiety relief. It can help you connect with your body and slow down your breathing.
Many people with anxiety also have issues with their breathing, and rhythmic breathing techniques can help improve your breathing and reduce anxiety and stress.
There are a lot of yoga poses you can do that help with anxiety and stress relief. For example, you can do seated forward bends, like in the child pose. You can also do side-bending poses, like the cat pose.
Get a Massage
Massage can be a great way to relax and relieve stress. You can either get a massage from someone you know or hire a masseuse.
There're a lot of benefits to getting a massage, including relieving tension, reducing stress level, lowering blood pressure, and improving immune system. So the next time you’re stressed out and in need of some relaxation, book a massage. It’s one of the best stress relievers you can do.
Do Exercise, and Move Your Body
When you exercise, especially outside or in nature, you get a sense of empowerment and control. That boosts self-esteem and can help you deal with stressful situations with a better outlook.
Studies have also shown that exercising in nature is very relaxing and effective for relieving stress and boosting mental health. So the next time you have some free time, go outside. Do some gardening, or walk around the block. You will relieve stress and improve your mood while getting some exercise in.
Exercise also helps you get your frustrations out and gives you a sense of purpose and direction in life. It’s a great way to release stress and tension and feel better.
Be Grateful, and Connect With People You Love
It’s easy to get caught up in day-to-day stresses and anxieties. If you want to relieve stress and improve your mental and emotional health, try to be more grateful for the things that you do have in life.
Connecting with people that you love relieves stress, boosts mood, and makes you feel happier. The next time you have a few spare moments, try to call a friend, write a letter, or Skype with a family member.
If you have a family member, friend, or someone you know that you feel close to, try to connect with them more. Connecting with people in your life can make you feel a lot better, especially if you’re feeling stressed out or depressed.
Anxiety and stress are normal, and there's no need to beat yourself up for feeling a little down. Instead, try and evaluate your situation, and see how you can get better. These tips are designed to help you feel your best, physically and mentally.