The current pandemic has caused stress for us in many ways. Not only has it affected stress in our minds by triggering anxiety or depression in some, but it can also affect our bodies. You might be feeling tense or even run down and weak. Too much stress can be linked to a weaker immune system so it is important to do what we can to manage it. Here are seven ways to release stress in the body:
Go for a run
Oftentimes, being cooped up inside the house can cause you to go stir crazy. Running outside can give you the opportunity to decompress while immersing yourself in nature. There are a plethora of benefits to running outside, such as enhanced scenery, a chance to explore and exposure to different terrains. Going outdoors to exercise is a convenient and safe way to break up your day.
Regardless of where you run, your body will thank you for it later. This is because running has many health benefits, including improved cardiovascular fitness, stronger muscles and bones, and weight loss
Yoga
Yoga is a fantastic way to exercise and reduce stress because it has been known to provide several physical benefits. For example, yoga tones muscles improve cardio and circulatory health and increase respiration, energy, and vitality.“Yoga is a good way to reconnect mind, body, and spirit — to allow someone the resilience to face whatever stressors or obstacles come throughout the day,” says Poulina Uddin, MD.
Yoga and other exercise videos are accessible via the internet for free so there is no excuse to avoid working out. Youtube issues fantastic health and fitness videos; Yoga with Adriene, SarahBethYoga and Ventuno Yoga are a few subscription channels that offer high-level training from experienced instructors.
Avoid procrastination
The stress you are feeling may be causing you to find yourself reluctant in executing certain tasks. Yet often, doing the jobs we procrastinate causes us even more stress. Rather than putting off an assignment or phone call, you may want to try finishing your duties to maintain a healthy schedule.
Make a list of goals you’d like to accomplish during the day when you wake up in the morning. Crossing things off will be satisfying and help reduce stress in your mind and body. A great way to jump-start your routine is by using journals to improve time management.
Practice Meditation and Mindfulness
Attempting to tune out the world can be a daunting task given the current situation. But fretting over what you cannot control will cause you unnecessary anxiety. You should train yourself to absorb the environment around you. You may take this as a chance to center yourself and explore your thoughts. Meditation and mindfulness can be a powerful tool if applied correctly.
Enjoy time with your pet
With all this free time, there are many chances to hang out with your cat or dog. Spending time with a fuzzy friend can alleviate stress by taking your mind off whatever is causing you anxiety.
Having a pet can encourage physical activity, as dogs need to be walked. Having an animal can be calming by petting or nurturing it. Either way, “we could all use a psychiatric service or therapy dog because of the incredible amount of stress that we’re all under,” states Dr. Carole Lieberman, M.D.
Pay attention to your diet
It might be easy to order a pizza and skip the greens, but you need to keep your body healthy to maintain a good energy level. Indulging in junk food too often will cause you to feel sluggish, tired, and deprive your body of the nutrients it needs to feel good and support its immune health.
Take a bath to soothe your muscles
You might have heard it before, but taking a bath could be a great stress reliever for your body. With warm water and certain bath salts, you can soothe and relax your body from the aches it may be feeling from sitting around more than usual. Here are a few to try:
- Epsom salts look like table salt, yet has a different chemical makeup and is composed of magnesium, oxygen, and sulfur. These salts counteract muscle tension, remove dead skin cells and alleviate stress.
- Dead Sea Salts essentially work to improve your body’s overall functions. The salts are made up of magnesium, potassium, calcium chloride, and bromides, all of which are chemical compounds known for healing benefits. They work to fortify bones, boost circulation, soften skin, improve energy, and better the immune system.
- Himalayan bath salts, an extremely coveted product, appears as a vibrant, pink scrub and works to combat anxiety. Himalayan bath salts fight against the electromagnetic energy we take in from technology to relieve our bodies of stress.
Sources:
https://blog.mapmyrun.com/9-great-things-about-running-outside/ https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/running-and-jogging-health-benefits https://osteopathic.org/what-is-osteopathic-medicine/benefits-of-yoga/ https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/16-ways-relieve-stress-anxiety#TOC_TITLE_HDR_13
