Stress can have big consequences on your health, your ability to sleep, and your mental health. It’s important that you clear your mind of stress whenever possible. Here are seven methods of getting rid of stress that will help you to cope.
Take Up A Martial Art
Martial arts are a great way to relieve stress and tension. Learning how to defend yourself will make you feel more confident and capable, and you can tackle your stress head-on with controlled fighting. Some martial arts encourage contact while others are all about learning the moves, so pick something that suits your temperament best. I personally loved taking up karate, in a class with other women so that I felt completely comfortable.
Exercise Regularly
Hitting the gym releases endorphins and helps you to clear stress from your shoulders. There’s also something about exercising until you need to rest that really clears your mind. Plus, getting your blood pumping could help you to live for longer.
Go For A Walk
When you are out walking, your brain can often process problems without you really being aware of it. You might find that a relaxing walk, or even a more taxing hike, will give you the answers that you need. If you’re like me and often get bored of the same walks use a walk planner like this one.
Practice Meditation
Meditation is literally the practice of clearing your mind, and it can work wonders to keep you calm. Once you push everything else aside and focus on your breathing for a while, you can learn to keep things in perspective. Is your current situation really important enough to stress out for?
Keep A Journal
Writing things down can be a way to work out stress and let go of it. You will always feel better after a journaling session, and you can even look back on your past writing to remember that nothing lasts forever. Things are also rarely as serious as they seem. I sometimes even laugh about the things I was worried about a year ago!
See A Therapist
Therapy isn’t just for those with severe problems – stress is enough to warrant a chat with a good therapist. Their job is to help you to work through your problems, alleviating the burden of the past and helping you to deal with daily life better. They can also help to put things in perspective and to help you find your way to the solutions that you need.
Talk To A Friend
If talking to a therapist sounds like too much, seek out a friend for a good chinwag instead. Talking through your problems is one of the easiest ways to make decisions and find solutions, even if the other person doesn’t have much input into the conversation. Sometimes, all you need is a good listener to help you get there. A friend can also reassure you, let you know that you’re not alone and that your reaction to the situation has been perfectly normal.
Don’t suffer from stress alone. I know first-hand that it can cause more damage than you think, so don’t let it get to that point. Clear your head regularly and you will feel so much better for it!