Almost any form of physical activity can alleviate stress. Eating a healthy diet is an important part of taking care of yourself. Research shows that even a brisk 10-minute walk can lower anxiety levels. It makes sense, considering that any type of exercise stimulates mood-regulating neurochemicals in the brain.
This includes serotonin, which helps induce a sense of calm, and dopamine, which activates the brain's reward system. Combine your walk with listening to the music you like or a phone conversation with a friend, and you'll get an extra boost. Or walk with a friend or even a group, because socializing is another activity that makes you feel good. It can also make you want to do things and stay active.
The same study review also found that when the dance movement is incorporated into therapy, subjects reported a significant decrease in physical signs of stress (such as reduced cortisol levels) and people reported that they were also better psychologically able to deal with the stress in their lives. But when stress builds up during work, at a party, or out in public, leaving everything to take a nap is definitely not a good thing. Some of the keys to good stress management are developing emotional strength, being in control of the situation, having a good social network and adopting a positive attitude. The study didn't look at whether the stress reduction lasted, but if you're looking for a quick way to lower your stress temperature, pick up your phone and watch anything that makes you laugh, whether it's videos of cats doing weird things or the latest Instagram video of your favorite comic. Many things in life can cause an acute stress reaction, but sometimes these stressors become chronic and can cause serious side effects.
A study published in the journal Psychoneuroendocrinology showed that listening to relaxing music helped lower levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) in university students during exams, and they also stated that they felt less stressed. The best way to deal with stress is to sleep at least seven hours a day, follow a predominantly plant-based diet, exercise regularly, meditate, and maintain a social connection. Yes, it sounds strange, but for various scientific reasons, there is some evidence that chewing gum can reduce stress (it has to do with neurons in various parts of the brain), but research is not clear why it can help exactly.). Watching a fun video and experiencing a “joyful laugh” had an immediate and significant effect on the perception of stress, according to a study on healthy women conducted at Western Kentucky University.
If you stress frequently and for long periods of time, or if stress causes you to feel overwhelmed and unable to control your emotions, it's time to seek help from a licensed professional. A large scale review of studies found that drawing, working with clay and performing other types of artistic activities can significantly reduce anxiety and generate a sense of calm, measured by a decrease in cortisol, heart rate and blood pressure. Try to put things into perspective by asking yourself if the cause of the stress will be important one year from now or if the health problems that stress can cause are worth it.
