Destress Tips that aren’t Exercise
It’s no secret that stress is one of the worst things for both the body and the mind. But one of the key issues with stress is that it usually comes from something. And that something requires a lot of your time and attention! So, if you’re stressing about something, it might be hard to find the time to go for a run or pay for a gym membership. To put it plainly, we know exercise is good for destressing, but it isn’t the only thing. Below is a list of other ideas that might help you destress!
Chatting
Humans are social by nature. Our brains release a lot of positive chemicals during most social interaction. By talking you can destress by either getting your mind off whatever is bothering you, or by venting about the issue! Either scenario is a true solution that can help you destress!
Reading Fiction
Books stretch the imagination and let you “escape” from your own life for a bit. Reading something you enjoy lowers your heart rate, eases muscle tension, and just lets you relax! This time can help your body process the “stress hormones” like cortisol and get you back to your baseline. Just be sure you’re not reading something that will remind you of whatever you’re stressing about.
Make Art!
Drawing, painting, and sculpting all reduce stress. Just like exercise, art forces you to be physically present. It is very tactile, forcing your brain to focus on movement, distracting you from your usual worries. Plus, it’s a form of expression. The same way venting all your problems to a friend feels good, expressing yourself accomplishes a similar task.
Fix your Schedule
Disruption of your usual routine is a huge source of stress. Getting your schedule back on track is a great way to let your body relax and get things back in order. That starts with sleeping. Get your 8 hours and try to keep to a very rigid schedule, even on the weekends. Also try eating at the same time each day too.
Meditation
Meditating isn’t for everyone. But if you’re someone who can meditate, you definitely should. 15 minutes of meditation can be a huge source of stress relief. You can meditate when you wake up or just before bed and it should help you start your day right.