13 Unique and simple things to relieve stress & bull; hello healthy

Stress never leaves your life. Starting from problems at work, fighting with friends, household problems, to the bills that you have to pay. But, you dont have to worry. Even though stress follows wherever you go, you can really live a stress-free life. How to? Come on, see the following unique ways to relieve stress.

The effects of stress on your life

Actually stress is not always badly oriented towards your life. Stress underlies all the actions you take. Without stress, you have no worries about doing this and that. Unfortunately, not everyone knows how to deal with and cope well with stress, which can have a negative impact on health.

Long-term uncontrollable stress can cause various health problems, for example high blood pressure, heart disease, or depression. In addition, stress can also cause various disorders, such as headaches, decreased appetite or binge eating,muscle aches, insomnia, and difficulty concentrating.

Various ways to relieve stress

Stress that you cannot handle has a negative impact on your physical and mental health. In order for your life to be free from stress, you can follow some of the following ways to relieve stress.

1. Put on a fake smile

While this may seem a little pushy, this suggestion may be a good way to relieve stress and has been proven by a 2012 study in Psychological Science.

Putting on a dunchene smile - the kind of big smile that engages the facial muscles around the eyes - even if you're faking it, can actually lift the mood. Of course, this can help you reduce stress when the situation is overwhelming you. How can?

Smiling broadly produces changes in brain activity associated with happier moods. Even if your smile is fake, if you do it in public, the mood for those around you will improve, too. Building a good environment, of course, will make you better, right?

2. Pet the cat or dog

One of the reasons why dogs or cats are used as therapy animals is because they can fulfill a basic human need, namely to express affection.

Petting, hugging, or touching a loving animal can quickly increase serotonin and dopamine levels. Both hormones are useful for the body to calm the mind and muscles. In this way, you will be more relaxed and the stress will disappear.

Accompanied by a pet, it can actually ease the loneliness you feel. For example dogs, these animals are a great stimulus to help you start a healthy exercise, which in fact can improve mood, suppress depression, and lower blood pressure.

Apart from that, dogs who are known as human's best friends are also able to understand many of the words we use. However, they are much better at interpreting tone of voice, language and gestures. Dogs are also able to look deep inside your heart to gauge your emotional state and try to understand what you are thinking and feeling.

3. Swim or soak in warm water in a bath

A Swedish study published in the International Journal of Stress Management found that floating in water triggers the body's relaxation response, which helps suppress levels of stress-inducing hormones. The study found that swimming reduces the tension and stress experienced by children ages 11 to 13.

If there is no time to go to the pool, soak in the bath, accompanied by aromatherapy candles and soft music. You can also soak your feet in warm water laced with spice oil or aromatherapy.

Using aromatherapy can be an easy way to relieve stress. Certain scents, such as lavender have consistently been shown to reduce stress levels a person experiences.

4. Dance

Source: Annarbory ​​MC

On tough days, resting mentally and physically with spontaneous dancing can be a savior from a bad mood. Try playing your favorite song and moving some dance moves in the bedroom.

Moving your body while singing to the beat is a pretty powerful stress reliever way. Because your heart will be happier and your mind will be diverted from all problems. After that, your brain is much more focused and can think clearly to find solutions to the problem at hand.

5. Scribbling

Pictures, writing, and even meaningless scribbles on a piece of paper can be an easy way for you to relieve stress. Well, this has been a trend among adolescents and adults who are known asdoodling.

Doodling aka drawing or doodling on paper, is believed to be an effective way to calm chaotic thoughts when under pressure and get rid of nervousness.

The materials you need are quite simple, namely a pen and a piece of paper. You can do this activity when you are bored of being caught up in a weekly meeting, on the phone, or when you are gritting your teeth due to anxiety.

In fact, the bookstore has a special book available for doodling and all you have to do is beautify it with colored pencils, crayons, or markers. This activity not only relieves tension but also increases concentration and creativity.

6. Drink cold orange juice

Not only is orange juice delicious and nutritious, but this refreshing drink can actually make you calmer and refocus.

Foods and drinks high in vitamin C, such as orange juice, can physiologically reduce stress by lowering levels of stress hormones, including cortisol. In addition, this vitamin can also fight the damage caused by oxidative stress.

The study's results suggest the potential for vitamin C in people with anxiety or stress disorders as part of treatment. Maybe by increasing your intake of vitamin C or supplements. However, it needs further research

7. Chew gum

The advantages of chewing gum are endless. Not only freshen your breath and suppress snacking habits, chewing gum can also reduce anxiety and depression.

In a 2008 study conducted by Andrew Scholey, Ph.D., participants who regularly chewed gum showed reduced levels of anxiety, increased alertness, reduced stress, and improved multi-tasking progress.

8. Laughter

Apart from smiling, laughter can also be a way to relieve stress. Laughter not only shows that you are enjoying the moment, but it also changes the systems in your body that can reduce stress in the long run.

Laughter reduces levels of the stress hormone in your body, cortisol, and releases the happy hormone, endorphins in return, which can change how you perceive things that stress you.

There are lots of things that can make you laugh, for example watching your favorite sitcom series, playing with the kids next door, looking for funny jokes on the internet, watching funny videos, or anything that makes you laugh easily.

9. Sex

Sex is closely related to stress. This activity can be both a trigger and a way to relieve stress. If your sex life is bad, then the relationship you build will certainly have a negative impact. As a result, this can lead to stress.

Conversely, if the quality of your sex and your partner is good, the relationship will also be stronger. According to the NHS (UK public health service program) explains why. People who had penetrative sex had the smallest increase in blood pressure. This shows that they cope better with stress.

In addition, sex also has the same effect as exercise or meditation. This activity can trigger the release of endorphins that make a person happier.

10. Massage

Stress makes the muscles in the body ache or sore. Well, one way to reduce the negative impact of this stress, you can do reflexology, for example Thai massage. Yes, massage on your body can calm tense body muscles. Moreover, if you are equipped with aromatherapy. Not only will body aches get better, your tired brain will also calm down.

Although no in-depth research has been done. This way of relieving stress has been applied by many people and most of them feel the effect. Do this after you do a sauna or warm bath for maximum results. If you are still in doubt, consult a massage therapist to help you relieve stress through massage.

11. Take a deep breath

Taking deep breaths has been shown to lower cortisol levels, which can help reduce stress and anxiety. To begin with, try to sit quietly in a quiet and comfortable place.

Then, close your eyes and inhale through your nose. Then, inhale deeply for two counts. Hold your breath for a count, then exhale slowly, for a count of four. If a count of 2 to 4 feels too fast, extend the breath count to a count of 4 breaths and 6 exhales. It could also take 6 deep breaths and 8 count of breaths, and so on.

If deep breathing triggers more anxiety, don't force yourself. Most importantly, lengthen the outward exhalation of your inhale. Arrange timer and breathe this way for at least five minutes so you can see a difference in your mood.

12. Worship

Dr. Roberta Lee, author of a book entitledThe SuperStress Solution, reported by the Huffington Post, wrote "Research shows that people who use more of their religion or spirituality to deal with the hardships of life. They are better able to cope with stress, recover faster from illness, and they experience increased health benefits and their personal well-being. "

Why is that? Worship gives time for yourself to connect with God. Yes, it provides calm, relieves anxiety and makes you more grateful. During all of this process, you build up positive energy that can get rid of stress and negative thoughts that really ruin your mood.

In addition, being a religious person according to research makes a person's lifespan longer. Most religions regulate their followers to observe orders and stay away from prohibitions, for example not drinking or cutting down on alcohol and always thinking positively. Both things are closely related to managing stress.

13. Gardening

Do you like gardening? Isn't it fun to fill your spare time to raise plants at home? Yes, besides being able to fill your spare time, you can also use this activity as a way to relieve stress.

Gardening requires concentration, that means you will take your mind off the stress at hand. While you are doing this activity, you will observe how the growth process of the plants you are caring for. Starting from small shoots, grow bigger, flower, and even produce fruit.

Now, all of that can bring out a sense of satisfaction in your heart. Seeing the beauty of colorful flowers and plants also makes your eyes fresh and your mind clearer.

Do you need to go to a psychologist?

Although there are many ways to deal with stress, they may not all have an effect on you. Especially if the stress you are dealing with is severe enough. If it's like this, you need help from a doctor or psychologist. The reason is, if this stress is not dealt with properly, your body's health will deteriorate, even paralyzing the activities you normally do.

However, when is the right time to go to a psychologist or doctor? There are several signs that need to be noted and taken into consideration for you to immediately visit the doctor, namely:

Stress symptoms get worse

Like other diseases, if treated properly, stress symptoms will certainly get better. However, if it is severe the ways to deal with stress that have been mentioned above cannot be used as self-medication.

You need direct guidance and care from a doctor, such as administering antidepressants or therapy. If you feel stress makes it difficult for you to carry out your daily routine, immediately consult a doctor.

Wrong to take stress out

When stress hits your mind, most people take the wrong steps to cope with it. For example, taking stress out with constant snacking, drinking alcohol, or using illegal drugs.

Instead of relieving stress, this method can actually make the stress you feel worse. This can increase various dangerous risks, such as obesity, liver disease, depression, and attempted suicide.