April Stress Awareness Month

Everyday Ways to Combat Stress (April is Stress Awareness Month!)

April Stress Awareness Month“Sometimes the most important thing in a whole day is the rest we take between two deep breaths”—Etty Hillesum

Stress can be a terrible thing. We live in a world full of it; from money issues to school deadlines to social obligations, it seems that stress is following us into all avenues of our lives. It has become such a common phenomenon that many of us fail to notice that we are even experiencing stress, and we come to accept our agitated state as the norm.

But it does not have to be that way. Realizing you are being cornered by daily stress is the first step; realizing you can actively take steps to relieve your stress and vastly improve your mental health and quality of life is the second. April is National Stress Awareness Month, so in honor of this important cause, here is a list of 10 stress-busters you can incorporate into your life.

  1. Start Meditating

Research has shown again and again how just a few minutes of daily meditation can significantly combat stress and anxiety. Find a quiet spot, put on some soft music, and zen out for a little while.

  1. Remember to Breathe Deep

When you start feeling stressed, take a step back, close your eyes, and take some good deep breaths. Focus on the air filling your lungs and how you relax with each breath.

  1. Don’t be Afraid to Reach Out

When you feel like life is just starting to become too much, reach out to your family and friends. Having a good support system is so essential to helping you cope with stress in a healthy way.

  1. Get Physical!

Exercise is an amazing stress fighter! You don’t have to run a marathon to get the benefits; go for a walk, hike, or ride your bike every once in a while to get the blood pumping and to put those endorphins to work.

  1. LOL

There’s a reason they say “laughter is the best medicine.” In this case, laughter has been shown to reduce cortisol, the stress hormone, so feel free to laugh often.

  1. Musical Relief

Listening to relaxing music can help set the mood and relax you. On the same note, listening to fun and upbeat tunes can help lift your spirits. Bonus points: dance to your favorite songs and you also got your daily dose of exercise!

  1. Be Grateful

Make a list and continue to add to it every few days. You will realize how much you have to be thankful for, no matter how big or how small. It is great to have a visual reminder of your blessings.

  1. You can’t Control it All

Sometimes life happens out of your control, so it is no use worrying about things you could not prevent. Take a step back, relax and go with the flow when these situations arise. You have enough on your plate as is.

  1. Smile, Smile, Smile 🙂

Keep a positive attitude and a smile on your face. It’s difficult to find the positives in life sometimes, but make an effort to focus on the good instead of dwelling on the negative thoughts that tend to come up.

  1. Get out there and have some fun!

Go out and do something you enjoy! Whether that is watching a movie, doing some gardening, going shopping, or having a spa-day, make sure you make some time for yourself. Surround yourself with the people and things you love.

Life is a beautiful thing that is meant to be enjoyed. Shed that stress and go out and live your life! I hope this post helped bring some positive energy into your life and you are able to experience the joys of minimal stress.

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