How to Reduce Stress.

Happy Monday everyone!

I hope everyone started this Monday with some enthusiasm and determination.

Today I am speaking about Stress and how to reduce it in your daily lives.

Stress is a problem everybody deals with. But how we deal with it can be another thing. You can let it envelop your life causing sleepless nights or you can tackle it head on to lead a more relaxed life. 

Everyone of all ages deals with their own form of stress, whether it be a class test, state exams, trying to get into your dream college,  work related stress and even family related stress. It can affect everyone. 

Mental Health is extremely important and if we allow stress to come over us it can be very hard to get out of it. This is how anxiety can arise and we all know that anxiety plays tricks on the mind leading us to believe that impending doom is upon us (even when it's not).

 Here is a list of the best ways to reduce stress in your life:

1. Exercise: Research has shown that doing exercise can reduce symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression. A vigorous workout releases endorphins (the happy hormone) which leaves you feeling a sense of euphoria which combats stress. Allowing exercise become a part of your life can reduce a lot of the negative stress.
   Yoga can also be tied in with exercise as it calms the mind significantly allowing you to relax all the muscles in your body (including the muscles affected by stress: the neck, shoulders and headaches) and allows you to have a clearer mind.
2. Meditation: Meditation is one of my favourite things to do. I remember in school some of us would have meditation in the prayer room and we could relax for the whole class meditating. I then found some great apps to help me meditate some of which are: Digipill, Headspace, Calm and Relax Melodies. All of which are free on the app store! I know some of you may say "well I don't have time to meditate, I have so much stuff to do!", well only 10 minutes in the morning, afternoon or evening is plenty of time to relax yourself. I love doing it before going to sleep after using with all my social media. It really helps me to fall asleep.
3. Cleanliness: Yes I know, why cleanliness? Well it's actually a huge factor. After a long day at work/school/other stressful environment, why come home to a house that is a mess? Coming home to a messy house allows the stress you've been carrying to continue to grow. "Oh god, now I have to clean all this mess...I don't feel like I can relax in a mess like this.. my bed is so messy... I forgot to bring all the dirty dishes from the sitting room to the kitchen last night... the bins are overflowing and now the kitchen has that gross odor again.." Living in an environment that promotes stress on your body is not healthy. Be mindful, clean after yourself if you make a mess. Make your home a place where you feel peace in your mind, not caos. De clutter your space now.
4. You are what you eat: We have to remember that what we put into our bodies affects us not just physically but mentally. If you feel like you panic a lot when your stressed or actually suffer from anxiety I highly recommend stopping caffeine immediately. Coffee can be a huge trigger of panic and stress, even if you think you need it, you don't. I get by fine with my cups of green tea. Try it, I'm officially converted! If not, just go decaf. This is the same for food. Cut down on sugar and carbs, not completely as a balanced diet is everything. If you notice all you eat is bread based foods and sugar then you know it's time to change now.
5. Planning: I find that if i don't have my diary full of tasks I get stressed. I have to write down every detail of what is happening in my life. I am a lot more organised now and I always feel on top of things, it gives me time to designate different tasks to different days.
6. Travel: As you all know I am addicted to travelling and you should be too. Plan at least 2 holidays a year to escape from your daily life. It also is a great motivator to get work done knowing soon you'll be on the beach, in another city or your dream vacation soon.
7. Do what you love to do: Do what you love, let it suck you in, whether it be going for a walk in the countryside, meeting with your bestfriend/partner, shopping, listening to music or one of your hobbies (sports, piano, ect).

Now lets continue this week with high hopes and some inspiration.

Photo credit: WeHeartIt