Getting rid of stress in its entirety is not possible, as it’s your body’s normal reaction to occurrences in daily life. However, there are steps you can take to manage your stress levels and help you bounce back from difficult times.
When confronted with a stressful situation, you automatically go into “fight or flight” mode. Really, this is a series of several physical changes in the body that either prepares you to address the problem or run away from it.
In many cases, muscles tense up, your heart beats faster, and breathing becomes shallower. If consistent, stress often presents itself as symptoms such as muscle aches, digestive problems, or disturbed sleep. Should these sound familiar, incorporating the following into your daily routine can help in managing your stress:
Breathe
Sounds easy, right? As it turns out, proper breathing does require some effort, especially under stress. You hold your breath mostly due to increased tension in the muscles required for breathing. Next time you are in a stressful situation, remind yourself to resume breathing. If you need help doing so, consider enrolling into classes that incorporate breath control, such as Tai Chi or yoga.
Relax
Your body naturally tenses up in response to stress, which, if left unchecked, is the cause of muscle aches and limited movement. To effectively relax muscles, you need two things: heat and stretching. Luckily, there are several options to get both in the same time and place. Try going to a local hot yoga class. If done consistently, this is a great way to release muscle tension and remain flexible. Alternatively, a massage therapist at a nearby clinic or a spa can help too. If a busy schedule is an issue, purchase a heated compress at your drugstore and use as needed on the tense areas.
Assess the problem
While the above tips can help you relax during stressful situations, eventually the root cause of your stress will need to be addressed. Is there a more complex issue at hand? Common examples include work and personal relationship issues, which can be addressed with the help of a professional counsellor. If you have recently gone through a traumatic event, your symptoms may need to be checked out by a practicing psychiatrist as soon as possible.
