5 Healthy Lifestyle Actions to Support Stress

life coaching

May 13

Health is Wealth

Stress is the body’s hormonal reaction to any emotional and mental distress. People have different levels of stress thresholds. Some have a high-stress threshold while others have a significantly lower tolerance to stress.

Regardless of whether a person can handle high or low levels of external pressure, it is important to strike a balance and be proactive in ensuring not to exceed these limitations. Otherwise, it could lead to more serious health problems and complications.

According to the American Institute of Stress, 48% of people struggle with getting decent sleep while under immense stress. 73% experience a negative effect on their mental health, while 77% suffer from the physical impacts of too much stress.

So, how does one keep their stress levels in check? Here are some lifestyle tips that help regulate stress and keep the mind and body in good shape.

Managing stress the safe and healthy way

The key is to not rely on quick fixes such as alcohol, smoking, and other vices. Instead, it should be a method that underscores underlying health conditions or specific lifestyles, while counteracting known triggers that magnify the effects of stress on a person.

Healthy stress management methods include:

Writing or Journaling
Writing down one’s thoughts and emotions about a particularly woeful situation makes a difference. Writing is an effective way of self-expression in such a way that a person’s repressed reactions remain private. It also gives the chance for the individual to review what they have written and assess what they have experienced later on.Journaling does the same—albeit with a more structured approach. People can create lists of specific situations, words, or scenarios that trigger their stress. They can also jot calming thoughts, quotations, and activities to counter any stress-inducing encounter. Writing journals is also useful in preparing a timeline of activities to follow within a given day or week.
Deep breathing and meditation
Deep breathing effectively calms the nerves and relieves the body of intense pressure. Find a comfortable sitting position. It is important to take one’s time in taking deep breaths and concentrating their thoughts into assembling a relaxing mental imagery. Doing so helps eliminate the big and small factors causing anxiety and unrest. Meditation allows people to reorganize their thought patterns and find inner peace. In turn, they become calmer and more objective in making crucial life decisions.
Period-proof the day
Women are said to be more susceptible to stress than men. Perhaps one of the reasons behind that is the fact that women have to deal with hormonal imbalance, menstrual cramps, emotional haywire, and fatigue all in one go during their period.It is typically the little things that increase women's stress levels during menstruation. They deal with intense physical discomfort while worrying about whether there are bloodstains on their pants or skirt. They experience cravings for fatty foods while fussing over period breakouts, holding back tears, and occasional fits of rage caused by a surge in estrogen and progesterone levels. Getting enough rest, opting to use period-proof underwear, eating dark chocolate, staying hydrated, and binge-watching tearjerker TV shows are simple yet excellent ways to regulate and overcome the symptoms of menstruation.
Develop an immersive and relaxing hobby
An immersive and relaxing hobby can involve sketching, painting, crocheting, hiking, solving puzzles and crosswords, reading, knitting, cooking, or even producing multimedia content. The key is to find a productive way to channel the negative energy and use it to create something worthwhile.It feels rewarding to accomplish activities that involve concentration and attention to detail. It shifts its focus away from thoughts and events that cause stress. People who find time every day to fulfill their hobbies are less likely to succumb to their frustrations and unpleasant experiences.
Seek guidance from healthcare professionals and reliable experts
A fresh perspective on an otherwise bothersome situation works wonders. Sometimes, regulating stress is just a matter of receiving enlightenment and counseling. Some people seek training for good mentorship to boost their self-esteem. Others undergo therapy or guidance counseling. All these help identify the root causes of their distress and figure out how to make informed decisions in improving their lives. When the burden already feels too much to handle, it is better to seek support from trusted individuals and learn how to handle the weights slowly but surely.