WHAT IS STRESS?

Stress is a natural reaction of our body to adapt to changes that we didn’t expect. It helps us to react in dangerous situations.  A certain amount of stress is fine as the body can handle it by regulating hormones.  But if it crosses the limit the consequences can be bad. Too much stress leads to depression, anxiety, and hypertension.  Here are some sure shot ways to help you keep your stress at bay!

Exercise: 

During exercise, your body releases Endorphin. It interacts with the receptors in the brain and triggers positive feelings.  There are eight types of hormones in the body are involved during exercise.  Long-term stress  associated with high levels of Cortisol, one of the hormones involved.  Exercise helps to regulate these stress hormones in the body. In turn, reduces stress levels.

Yoga and  Meditation:                                                                                                   

Yoga helps to reduces stress at various levels.  All those breathing and stretching techniques help the body to get more oxygen. It replenishes the internal organs. Yoga and meditation help rejuvenate blood cells. It promotes the production of new blood cells.  Studies have shown that yoga helps in reducing level of stress hormone Cortisol in the body.  Meditation increases the oxygen levels in body and it helps reduce blood pressure.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

CBT is a type of psychotherapy to change the way you think.  It gives more positive thoughts and changes the ingrained negative thought patterns. It makes you have bird’s eye vision of your problems and worries.  If you have chronic stress this therapy can help you relieve stress in a more professional way.  

Photography:

Go out in nature with your camera…feel the beauty and tranquillity around you. Click random.  Don’t worry about to fix a perfect setting.   That will again put you in stress.  Just click pictures as you like.

Music:

No need to explain about this stress buster.  Just put on your headphone and play and explore new music.  Apart from this, physical activity like cleaning, gardening will help to calm yourself. It also gives a sense of achievement which lets the body produce happy hormones.

Diet:

There are certain foods that can actually make you feel good and pep up your mood.  Include green leafy vegetables, fermented food, pistachios, blueberry, avocado, seeds, and wild fish.  Avoid certain foods like sugar and processed food.

Doing good things:

Making others happy helps in reducing stress. Help others cross the road. Hold a door for someone to enter. Serve food.  Do charity work. These are the simple things. But will make you feel good about yourself and relieve you from stress.  It provides good stress relief.  The act of goodwill boosts positive emotions and mental health.

Last but not least, treat yourself well. Enjoy your time by doing something you love.  You can literally practice having a positive attitude toward things, towards life.  Don’t worry about the things that are not under your control.  Be assertive of your feelings and beliefs.  Don’t be defensive as it would make you weak and think low about yourself. Set realistic goals.  Stress is a natural phenomenon.  Your body knows how to keep it in control.  You just have to stop stressing about your stress.