It seems like there’s always something to stress about. Whether it’s at school, work, home, or even with friends and family.
Things start to weigh on your shoulders and it can be easy to freak out, but it can also be easy to calm down.
Continue reading for 7 tips on how to lower stress levels.
1. Control What You Can
This sounds easier than it is, but that’s because it can be hard to remember that we don’t have control over every situation. But letting go of small things throughout your day can keep a lot of stress off your shoulders.
2. Get Outside
Have you ever felt calm while sitting by the ocean? Have you ever gotten distracted while looking at the sky?
That’s because getting outside reduces stress levels, and it’s an easy, free way to reduce yours when you have the time.
3. Do Something Physical
This helps you get out of your head and back into reality.
It can be simple, like coloring or playing a video game, or it can be bigger. Calling a friend, reaching out to someone, or folding that laundry you’ve been staring at for days might be good places to start.
4. Clean Something
Speaking of folding laundry, cleaning your house is another great way to relieve stress.
A study from the University of Indiana found that those with clean houses had better mental health than those with a messy space.
5. Just Breathe
It sounds cheesy, but it’s true. Breathing exercises are one of the best ways to help calm the body. It signals your brain to slow down, and then calm down.
Here are two exercises to try:
- Deep belly breaths: You breathe deeply so your stomach expands and contracts with each inhale and exhale.
- Counting: Inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 7 seconds, exhale for 8 seconds. Count while you do it and repeat as much as you need.
6. Accept That You Cannot Control Everything
We’ve come full circle.
Accepting that you cannot control everything plays right back into you controlling what you can. You may not be able to stop that 3 o’clock meeting, but you can control how you approach it.
You can’t control the things people say to you, but you can control how you respond. You can’t control all the mishaps throughout your day, but you can control how you choose to react to them. You can also control how you spend the rest of your day as a result.
7. Be Kind to Yourself
You may not always remember these tips when you’re stressed, but it’s important to not beat yourself up for forgetting. We all have an internal dialogue, and we can control how we speak to ourselves.
It’s easy to forget that we’re allowed to treat ourselves with kindness when others don’t. The stress, whether self-inflicted or passed on to you, is not deserved. While you should honor your feelings, you should also know when to let them go.
What If These Tips on How to Lower Stress Levels Don’t Work?
If these tips on how to lower stress levels begin to feel like they’re not working, remember that help is always available.
Whether you call a friend, family member, or decide to reach out to a professional, you should feel comfortable in every situation. If you’re curious about therapy or want to know what AJ Therapy Center can offer you, contact us today or check out our wellness blog today.