It may be hard for some people to dig into a good book when they’re feeling stressed, but binging on asuper-absorbing podcastor TV series that transports you out of your life is a positive distraction. “Whether it’s a podcast or a really dumb series, mindfully attending to a target is a great anchor,” says Kissen. In other words, the point isn’t simply to distract yourself, but to make an active choice to place your attention elsewhere, she says. The mind, says Kissen, thinks, “If only I keep thinking and thinking I’ll solve the problem and get out of it,” and choosing to anchor it elsewhere can stop this stress response. Even while social distancing, social support is a huge component of a healthy life. If loneliness is adding to your stress, call a friend or family member to chat, Dr. Saltz recommends.
However, there are simple things you can do to change the common life problems that can cause stress or make stress a problem. These include relaxation techniques, exercise and talking the issues through. There is little you can do to prevent stress, but there are many things you can do to manage stress more effectively, such as learning how to relax, taking regular exercise and adopting good time-management techniques. Once the pressure or threat has passed, your stress hormone levels will usually return to normal. However, if you’re constantly under stress, these hormones will remain in your body, leading to the symptoms of stress.
The Heatbag can help relieve tension in the neck and shoulders or provide its warmth to the chest (think of it like a nice warm hug!) to induce the body’s relaxation response. Reducing stress not only helps you think clearly, but is a necessary step to long-term physical and mental health. There are going to be things in your life that you can’t control, no matter how hard you try. For example, there’s no use allowing snow or rain to bother you — how would you go about changing the weather? Instead, look for ways to enjoy uncontrollable circumstances. Play in the snow like you did when you were a kid; spend a rainy day reading, another stress reliever.
According to a study in the International Journal of Environmental Health Research, even spending just 20 minutes in a park does wonders for our well-being. According to research psychologist Kelly McGonigal, PhD, author of The Joy of Movement, incorporating a little nature every day is beneficial to managing your stress levels. Depending on how you’re social distancing, getting to a park every day may not be easy, but even a short daily walk outside (hello Therapy vitamin D!) would suffice and help you clear your head. While a little bit of stress is normal and can actually help you function more effectively during times of pressure, ongoing stress is not good for your physical or mental health. Listening to or playing music is a good stress reliever because it can provide a mental distraction, reduce muscle tension and decrease stress hormones. Crank up the volume and let your mind be absorbed by the music.
Increased levels of stress can, if not addressed early enough, lead to burn-out or more severe mental health problems. Positivity and optimism not only combat stress but are also essential for our mental health. Positivity leads to happiness, energy and a greater sense of calm. Be mindful of your self-talk and Atlanta the conversations that go on in your head. Stress has become a major modern-day factor affecting men’s health. The tension and emotional strain of day-to-day living has been linked to heart disease, high blood pressure, migraine headaches, back pain, diabetes, cancer, and a weakened immune response to disease.