6 Effective Stress Relief Methods
The most productive methods of stress release include spending free time cooking delicious food, reading an enjoyable book, playing a musical instrument, or indulging in board games; not only do these activities offer a sense of positivity, but they also help stop overthinking that leads to a negative state of mind. Of course, since it helps uplift your mood, a positive atmosphere is important. Integrate these 6 Effective Stress Relief Methods into your lifestyle to help cultivate a healthy state of mind. I do not doubt that they will enable you to end the year on a positive note and start a new one afresh!
- Smile
Research indicates that facial expressions affect our mood deeply. And smiling, in particular, alleviates stress while also helping you project yourself as an optimistic person to those you meet during the day. Therefore, to begin your day with positive thoughts and to keep stress at bay ~ smile more, laugh more, and don’t forget to enjoy life.
- Relish Nature
Give yourself the much-needed micro-breaks to beat stress. Look out the window and take time to absorb the scenery; even nature-themed wallpaper is quite effective at enhancing attention and creativity. Furthermore, the stress of routine life can be overcome by natural sounds. Rustling leaves, birds, and ocean waves are music for the ears and a great way to switch off and detox your mind from belittling emotions.
- Exercise and Meditation
Exercise hardly needs extensive explanation; it builds strength ~ not only physical but also the mental ability needed to counter stress. Meditation is a well-known way of clearing your mind off the stressors of modern life. It is additionally a great way to improve concentration and focus yourself away from the vicious thinking circle that keeps you occupied.
- Music and Dance
Music can have a profound psychological impact, and it has a deep link to human emotion. And the two art forms, music and dance, tend to create an emotional quotient together, often complementing one another. While music pleases, shaking a leg is known to release endorphins, also called happy hormones. So, perhaps it’s time for you to play your favourite song, get into harmony with yourself, and dance the night away!
- Cultivate a Hobby
Hobbies are individual expressions of what a person loves or is passionate about. And, in my opinion, these enjoyable activities performed during leisure time are vital for your routine. No matter how simple or demanding a hobby may be, it is bound to bring a sense of fun and freedom to life. If you find psychological satiety in cooking, go for it. If you enjoy playing a musical instrument or engaging in community service or charity work, then do that. Sing, dance, paint ~ the possibilities are endless!
- Deeds of Kindness
Helping the needy or just random deeds of kindness can bring a sense of satisfaction unlike anything else. Although, do not equate help to money. Your advice, care, or your mere presence could be invaluable for a fellow human. We have an instinctive need for empathy and bonding; help goes a long way in fulfilling that need.
To conclude: There is almost always light at the end of the tunnel. Keeping yourself occupied with your situation does more harm than good. Stress affects every aspect of health; hence, it is imperative to stay positive and implement effective stress release methods in the darkest of times. I believe these tips will be useful in influencing your mood and helping you relax.
What effective ways do you use to reduce stress? I’d love to have you share your thoughts in the comments below!
Invest in your mental health! Thank you for sharing, Tanya! ✨ So often we wait until we’re exhausted to do some self-care. Creating a routine for regular self-care can help ensure we don’t burn out!
Thank you for your interest and appreciation, Nikethana.
What an amazing reminder! ❤️ We often forget that #selfcare is a necessity and not a luxury! Create a world that supports your well-being not your exhaustion. You know the signs, so stop before you go too far and take a break.
Love and light coming your way, Srishti!
Great advice! I wish I knew to do this earlier, but its never too late to start… ❤️
Thank you so much, Madhavi. Means a lot!
This one hit home! I know I have personally found myself experiencing chronic stress & looking for ways to relieve it… Would love a post on Chronic Joy (!) or an alternative upside to stress! ❤️❤️❤️
Ah, love that idea!
I think stress feels normal for me, safe even… How on earth do we unlearn something like that?! I guess it takes conscious awareness and lots of work to reprogram… I believe in your advise! ✨✨✨
You’re very kind, Sandli. Thank you!
I never really thought about how we build our stress tolerance, but this totally makes sense! Most of my stress comes from my job. After taking an extra week off work, I am going back tomorrow with some boundaries and a new found ability to say NO more often… ❤️
Love that you’re setting some new boundaries after your break, Arpita!
Very useful post! ✨ I can so relate to most of these at the moment… Fiercely protecting my energy during this most vulnerable and crucially important time of the year! Thank you for this!
Thank you for reading my blog, Aditi. And thank you for sharing such kind thoughts about this post.
Sigh! I really need to limit my exposure to seeing things that put me in a bad mood or make me feel drained… Thank you for this wonderfully informative post!
So glad to hear this! You are most welcome, Aiman.
Your content is always awesome! ❤️ And really, how much time have we actually taken for ourselves to do something that feels good – outside of work demands, home demands, family demands?! It will help our whole physical and mental health, and our body will thank us for it!
Thank you very much, Madhavi. I’m touched!
These are great ways to relieve some stress! ✨ The thoughts and stories that continually go through out minds are actually shaping our destiny. And if we don’t watch out, then most of those thoughts will prevent us from being ourselves and living the lives we actually want...
So glad you stopped by, Netra. 🙂
Wow! Understanding this can certainty help improve our life emotionally and mentally! #mentalhealthawareness
On that note, your posts always leave me feeling good, empowered and uplifted! Thank you. ❤️
I’m overjoyed at your sweet words, Divya. Thank you!
This is such good advice to take on any given day, and especially important during times like these… Giving my stress wings and letting it fly away… ✨
Oh, thank you so much, Gurkeerat! So sweet of you.
Your blogs on wellness always help me receive the gift of universal energy to help release stress faster and connect more deeply to my sacred self within. ❤️ Love ya so much girlie!
Many thanks, Garima. You’ve made me so happy!
A recent study shows that just six minutes of reading can reduce stress by 68% and help us relax our mental state, as well as refresh our mood and body. I just spent mine on here… Lotsa love!
That’s high praise, Stuthi. Thank you!
I am aware of it. I see it. I recognize when it is activated, and I am willing to fight it one step at a time. One step away of my comfort zone at a time! ❤️
You have more inside you than you think, Anubha!
Love this! I’ve been making an effort to introduce a new daily habit that supports my wellness goals – whether that’s better sleep, exercise, nutrition or relaxation. 🙂
Thank you, Yashasvini. I’m glad you find the content helpful.
I love love love this! These tips will be more helpful to my immunity than any vitamin pill I take! 😀
Thanks much, Ramya. I really appreciate your support!
Best tips I have ever seen! ❤️
Well, Monday is here again, and I’ve started my day with some morning journaling, breakfast, a cup of tea (and my advent calendar chocolate) + I’m are super busy prepping for Christmas Market this weekend!
Oh ~ you’re so sweet, Kanika. Thank you!
Sounds wonderful!
In a normal situation, the holidays tend to bring on STRESS and this year it is much stronger – so, your post could not have come at abetter time! 🙂
This year, I intend to relieve stress by focusing on the things that bring me joy, and asking for help rather than trying to carry the holiday hustle and bustle alone. Also, adding meditation and acupuncture to my routine for an extra boost of positive energy and stress relief! ✨✨✨⠀
I’m humbled, Sania. Thank you so much!
Yes! The truth is that YOU have the power to change the situation from how you respond to it… So ~ relax your body, rejuvenate your mind, revitalize your sprit!
Thank you very much for your insight, Chitra.
At some point this week, I shall set my alarm to wake me 5/10 minutes early. For those extra minutes, I shall sit up in bed in a comfortable position and use that time to do a mindful breathing technique. 🙂 Thank you for your amazing posts, Tanya!
Do! Setting aside a few extra minutes will give your body time to gently wake up, and help you to feel calm, centred and clear-minded.
As always, I hope these tips help to bring some calmness to my week… Going to go with the flow & see where it takes me… 🙂
This is so so kind, Vishwa!
I am happy to have you share with us this formula and how we can implement it… After all, emotion is an energy and as such has to be given time to discharge naturally, just like a battery. ✨
How lovely of you to think so, Beena. Thank you!
Humans move towards pleasure and move away from pain according to Aristotle, and in its simplest form – this is the truth! So, flip the narrative and take back your pleasure by facing your pain… Of course, I’m talking about the long lasting eudaimonic pleasure (happiness) you gain from sense and purpose…
Thank you for your artistic expression, Gauri. Really enlightened.