Mar 25

5 steps to de-stressing your day

5 Steps to De-stressing Your Day

5 steps to de-stressing your day

Chronic stress is hell on the body. Some studies even suggest that chronic stress can be more detrimental to your health than smoking. It causes your body to release cortisol, which is a natural steroid hormone. High levels of cortisol over a long period of time have been shown to negatively impact your immune system, causing insomnia, hormone imbalances, and many other negative reactions.  Here are 5 steps to de-stressing your day:

5 steps to de-stressing your day: Start the day with meditation

Meditation is a great way to calm the swirling thoughts in your mind. Sit on a cushion or on a chair. Get comfortable- sitting with a straight spine and your chin tucked in. Remove any distractions (especially your phone!) Sit quietly and concentrate on your breathing. Try starting with clearing your mind for 30 breaths. Focus your energy on a single point in your body and listen to your breaths. Slowly increase the time as your meditation practice improves.

5 steps to de-stressing your day: Laugh

Don’t take life so seriously. Take time to watch a funny movie or read a humorous column. Laughter is one of the best ways to distress your day. It releases endorphins, which are feel-good chemicals.

5 steps to de-stressing your day: Take a walk

If your reaching that time in your day when you just want to pull your hair out, sometimes it’s good to just get outside and away from the people and tasks that are causing you stress. Take a walk, get some sun, and get in touch with nature. Try to really notice what is going on around you and stay in the present moment.  It can be very healing to connect with nature.

5 steps to de-stressing your day: Get more sleep

One of the most common causes of becoming overstressed is lack of proper sleep. Stress causes insomnia, and lack of sleep worsens feelings of stress. It can become a vicious cycle. Getting a good night’s sleep can improve your mood, give you energy, and contribute to your overall feeling of well-being. The first step to a good night’s sleep: cultivate a relaxing atmosphere. You don’t sleep as well when you fall asleep in front of a TV or you are surrounded by clutter. Make your room an oasis and work on clearing your mind every night before you go to bed. Try to get at least 6-8 hours every night.

5 steps to de-stressing your day: Exercise

Exercise is so beneficial in so many ways. It is especially effective in de-stressing your day. Exercise, like laughter, releases endorphins, clears the mind, and helps you sleep better. It is also a great way to improve overall health and well-being.  One of the best forms of exercise for de-stressing your day is yoga. Yoga encompasses the body and the breath so it’s not only a great form of exercise, but it incorporates meditation to slow down and calm the body and the mind.