33
At times, you can feel that your stress and anxiety might reach a new level. Daily tasks can make you feel overwhelmingly stressed. For instance, you might wonder whether or not you could turn your assignment in on time or complete a project before the deadline ends.
Perhaps your stress seems constant and unrelenting to the point that it might become increasingly difficult to perform your simplest tasks, as you might be too overwhelmed with the cycle of your constant thoughts.
Here are some daily habits that can alleviate your stress level.
Wash the Dishes
This might have caught many of you off-guard, especially when you are the least interested in doing chores. However, here is what happens if you were to wash dishes whenever you are stressed. Washing dishes can actually have a good impact on your overall sense of well-being.
According to studies, people who are mindful when washing dishes can decrease their nervousness by nearly 30%. Also, by mindfully washing dishes, it is possible to increase one’s mental inspiration by more than 25%.
At this point, you might be wondering how to wash your dishes to decrease the stress level, and we are here to tell you that. You will want to engage all your senses and be truly aware of what you are doing while washing your lunch leftovers off the plates.
Although it might be gross at first, you will want to focus on the smell of the soap and dishes, along with focusing on the water sensation and the feel of dishes in your hands by engaging all your senses. While you are washing the dishes, you will be grounding yourself in your immediate reality and shifting your focus to your immediate surroundings. This way, you will relieve your stress while washing the dishes.
Meditate
We are sure that you have heard about the importance of mediation before. You might also be familiar with breathwork, and if not, you might want to enroll in online breathwork classes and learn how to alleviate stress on a daily basis.
When it comes to meditation, you will want to make some time for meditation, especially when you know that your day will be stressful and busy. The best thing you can do is to spare five to ten minutes in the morning and ease into a meditative state.
As starters, it can be extremely challenging to jump into an extensive period of meditation, such as half an hour’s worth of meditation, which is why you will want to take baby steps at first. Ideally, you will want to start with five minutes every morning. Once you have successfully mastered the five minutes, you will want to add five more minutes every week.
If you learn to meditate, you can expect changes in your brain activity that will remain unchanged even when you are not meditating.
Improve Your Posture
If you are stressed, then the best thing you can do right now is to stop slouching and improve your posture. There are countless benefits of maintaining a nice posture. Every one of us is guilty of slouching sometimes – and there are some great benefits of having a correct posture.
The thing about your upper posture is that it can have a positive impact on your overall well-being and can decrease the sensations of stress and fatigue. The best thing that you can do is to adopt an upright posture that will not only reduce stress, fatigue, and depression but also boost your overall sense of self.
Perhaps you are feeling a bit tired and inattentive. Instead of worrying about how you feel, you might want to instantly correct your posture and feel its amazing effects. You will want to try to maintain a good posture for at least three minutes. If you still feel tired, then you might want to take a nap.
Hug it Out
There are other things that you can do to decrease your stress, such as hugging, cuddling, and holding hands. You might have already experienced the relaxing feeling of a cozy, warm cuddle that you get. The ultimate feeling of being loved when you hug, kiss, and hold hands with someone can boost the flow of endorphins.
You only get this boost from a loving hug. Hugs and cuddles make you feel good, which increases the endorphin levels and decreases the cortisol level. Whenever you feel stressed, you might want to get in touch with someone you love and hug them. It will calm you down and help you feel happier.
Exercise Regularly
Incorporating physical activity into your daily routine is a proven way to reduce stress. Exercise not only improves your physical health but also boosts your mood and serves as a valuable distraction from daily worries.
Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days of the week. This doesn’t have to be a daunting task; you can choose activities that you enjoy, such as walking, cycling, swimming, or yoga. The key is consistency and making exercise a non-negotiable part of your day. As you build stamina and strength, you may find your stress levels naturally diminishing, and your ability to handle stress improving.
Limit Screen Time
In today’s digital age, we are constantly bombarded with information, much of which can increase our stress levels. Setting boundaries around the use of electronic devices, especially before bedtime, can significantly lower stress. Excessive screen time can interfere with your sleep quality and quantity, leading to increased stress and anxiety.
Try to disconnect from your phone, computer, and TV at least an hour before going to bed. Instead, engage in relaxing activities such as reading a book, listening to calming music, or practicing meditation. This habit not only helps in reducing stress but also improves your overall quality of life by fostering healthier sleep patterns and allowing more time for personal reflection and connection with loved ones.
The Takeaway
Stress is an essential part of life; however, there are several things you can do to reduce your stress level. You can move your body and go for a run or walk. You will also want to ensure that you get at least eight hours of sleep every day.