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Did you know that around 74% of people say that in the last year, they’ve felt so stressed that they’ve been unable to cope? You may not be at that point yet, but it’s worth taking steps to reduce your stress levels before you get there. Stress is a significant issue for a lot of people.

The good news is that there are ways you can cut back on feelings of stress each day from the comfort of your own home. Here are some of the top tips.

Exercise

Exercise is the number one way to handle stress.

You might not fancy rushing to the gym for a sweat session when you’re feeling overwhelmed. However, exercise is a fantastic way to release endorphins—and positive feelings—into your body. People who exercise regularly are less likely to suffer from anxiety than their counterparts.

When you exercise—even a little—you reduce the amount of stress hormones in your body and replace them with endorphins, which help to boost your mood.

Exercise can also improve sleep quality, which is often negatively affected by anxiety and stress. When you get enough sleep, you’re more capable of dealing with stressful feelings.

To get the most out of your exercise routine, find an activity you enjoy and incorporate it into your schedule—even if it’s just a stretching session each night.

Get Social

Do you ever feel the urge to isolate yourself when stressed or nervous? You’re not alone. However, withdrawing from your social group could make your stress worse. Being part of a group of people who love and care for you will help you through tough times.

One study found that spending time with friends helps to release the natural stress reliever oxytocin. Some professionals even call this socializing response the “tend and befriend” approach rather than the “fight or flight” we’re used to with stress.

If you can’t meet face to face, find another way to connect. You can call a friend or loved one to vent about some of the things you’re stressed about, get involved in a video meeting, or send someone a text if it helps.

Make Yourself Laugh

Have you ever noticed that it’s challenging to focus on the things that make you feel anxious or stressed when you’re laughing? Laughter is genuinely good for your health, both from a physical and a mental perspective. It helps to relieve tension in your muscles and decreases your stress response.

Over time, regular periods of laughter can improve your mood and help your immune system to work better. According to a study of people with cancer, people who laughed most experienced more stress relief than those who just distracted themselves.

Read a funny book or talk to a friend who frequently makes you laugh. Even if you’re giggling at something on TV, let it out.

Practice Self-Care Activities

We could all benefit from investing more time and effort into ourselves. It’s increasingly common for people to prioritize working too much or barely getting any sleep, which increases stress.

Sometimes, looking at your life and asking yourself what you need to feel better is essential. That could mean taking the time you need for yourself and saying “no” when others ask you for help. It’s not selfish—it’s about first giving yourself the help you need.

Self-care can also mean changing your routine. Go to bed earlier or change your menu to eat healthier food. Invest time and energy into things that make you feel good—even just having a long bubble bath.

Try Something New

Finally, sometimes, all you need to eliminate stress is a new passion.

With that in mind, why not try something new? Take an art class with a pal and see whether being creative each day could help eliminate anxiety. There are plenty of studies that indicate that creative activities can reduce your anxiety levels.

If art isn’t your thing, try learning how to cook. Taking a class that teaches you how to create delicious and nutritious meals is an excellent way to get a new hobby going.

When cooking, you’ll focus on what you’re doing in the kitchen rather than spending all your energy worrying about the things that bother you. Plus, learning how to cook could help you to eat healthier too!

Try one of these effective strategies the next time you feel stressed. Once you get in the habit of using them regularly, you’ll find greater enjoyment.

 

For more great content on career strategies, visit https://polishingtheprofessional.com/blog.

If you are disabled and eligible for the California Regional Centers, including www.sclarc.org, www.westsiderc.org, www.lanterman.org, www.nlacrc.org, www.hrc.org, or www.elarc.org, or if you are eligible for the Social Security Administration’s Ticket To Work program at www.yourtickettowork.com and need employment assistance, call us. We can help!

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