How To Lower Your Stress Level On The Spot
How do you handle stressful situations? Good? Bad? Ugly? Indeed, stress is known to negatively affect our mental, physical, and spiritual well-being — all of if can be disarming at times. High stress levels also have been connected with many of today’s leading causes of death as well: cancer; heart disease; suicide; lung disorders; and cirrhosis of the liver, to just name a few. And it’s frightening at times, especially when we are hit with the unexpected. Below, The Uptown highlights tips and ways for you to successfully manage stressful situations.
Laugh Out Loud
It’s true! Science has proven laughter can lighten mental overload. Laughter lowers cortisol, your body’s stress hormone, while releasing endorphins from your pituitary gland and into your bloodstream injecting good-feel hormones straight into your spinal cord and brain; heightening your overall disposition. If you’re in a high-stress environment for long periods of time, find time to lighten up a bit, visit a funny friend or turn to your favorite TV show or YouTube videos.
Take A Break
We all deserve a break from time to time. If you find yourself stressed out in a situation, step out for a break and take time to focus on deep breaths to calm your heart. If you have to, try to change scenery and find a quiet place to sit or lie down. If you can, do stationary stretches to relax your tense muscles.
Self-Massage
Worked up? Chances are your muscles need to relax. According to Darrin Zeer, author of Lover’s Massage and Office Yoga, giving yourself a self-massage during stressful situations can help lower your stress levels. First, place both hands on your shoulders and neck. With your fingers and palms, squeeze and rub vigorously while keeping your shoulders relaxed. Then, wrap one hand around your other forearm. Squeeze your muscles with thumb and fingers and move up and down from your elbow to fingertips and back again. Repeat with other arm.
Try a Musical Diversion
Sound has always had an unique link to humanity and human emotions. Music is the easiest way to utilize sound therapy and has been used in many cases to help improve patient mood, restore energy, and help the body heal naturally. It also has the power to take the mind to a beautiful memory or sound; catching our attention; detracting us away from stress.
Move
No running or aggressive cardio activities necessary. Whatever form of exercise — from yoga to walking to jogging to cycling – moving will ease depression and anxiety. When we move our bodies, we help the brain release feel-good chemicals; giving the body a chance to cope with stress. When you feel overwhelmed with stress, go for a quick walk around the block, take the stairs up and down rather than the elevator or stretch. Just keep moving.
Sip Green Tea
Green tea is a great source for L-Theanine, a chemical that helps relieve anger. So, instead of turning purple with rage or getting jittery with coffee, try a cup of herbal tea. Boil the water, pour it out, and take a soothing sip and appreciate the moment of now and relax.
Temple Massage
Apply acupressure — the oriental method that uses pressure points to relieve pain and treat a variety of ailments. When you feel stressed, gently message the nerves on your temples. It helps relax your facial muscles and neck and ultimately promotes relaxation throughout your body.
Smell & Scents
Surround yourself with scents that are energizing and invigorating under stressful situations and look for scents that are soothing and calming. You can even set sheets up scented with lavender or light a scented candle or incense. If you have the option, take a walk and smell the flowers in your garden.
Summary
Being prepared during stressful situations can take a huge load off your mind, body, and spirit. You certainly don’t want to tackle stressful situations unarmed. The first step is to be self-aware that you are in a stressful situation, then find the source, and use any one of the options above to help clear your mind and recharge.
