http://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/evolutionary-psychiatry/201211/stress-the-killer-disease
8) EXERCISE
Exercise increases endorphins, endorphins make you happy. Make sure you get to the gym, pool or out in nature for a walk. There are so many different activities you can do to get that heart rate up and lower those stress levels. Some ideas are; going for a hike or a long walk, quick walks up to 35 minutes, swimming, walking or running in the shallow end of the pool, water aerobics, bicycle rides, lifting weights, playing a sport with your friends, the array of aerobic classes most gyms offer and sex.
7) PLAY WITH YOUR KIDS OR OTHER ADULTS
I was in a job I hated and I was stressed out all the time. I would come home after work and put the music on and then either have a dance party with our children or we would throw ourselves around the room. Sometimes the children would have us toss them on the couch or to each other. This was a great stress reliever and we had fun doing it. Don’t worry, no children were harmed during this fun.
6) YOGA OR STRETCHING
Yoga can be challenging and fun. Being part of a yoga practice or class is amazing. You are putting yourself in a safe place away from judgement. You are taught to love your body, your mind and your soul. Concentration on each movement is essential which keeps you from worrying about silly unimportant things that affect us daily. This is just one of the ways that yoga can help reduce stress levels. Making yoga part of your daily living can dramatically reduce stress levels long term. Why don't you give it a try?
5) READ A BOOK
Books! The smell of the printed paper, the feel of the sheets under your finger tips are enough to help reduce your stress levels because you know you are about to escape from reality for a short time while immersing yourself into the pages of a new book. There are so many diverse books out there for every type of person. Pick up a book for a mental escape soon!
4) LISTEN TO MUSIC
Remember the days of blaring the music from your speakers or being at a concert and screaming songs at the top of your lungs? How did you feel at the end of the concert or when you were done singing along? You were physically and emotionally letting that stress go. How long has it been since you have properly let go? Is it time to go to another concert or blare that music again?
3) CONNECT WITH YOUR PARTNER
This one is hard for all of us. We get so busy trying to work and take care of the kids that we forget about ourselves as well as our partners. My husband works a full-time job as well as working for his Master’s Degree and I work all the time while continuing my education as well. We try to spend a little time with each other after the kids are asleep and he is done with his homework every night. It’s challenging but you will find creative ways to connect and remember why you love each other so much. I have listed a variety of activities you and your partner can do together; Watch a movie, have a drink, put some music on and talk, play cards, solve a puzzle or SEX.
2) TAKE HOLIDAY TIME OFF WORK
Are you like me? I forget to take holiday because I get so caught up working. Those holidays you get are paid days off. Use them and go have fun and let go of all that stress. There is nothing worse than getting to the end of the year and realising you have to take the rest of your holiday.
There are a lot of low budget holiday activities you can participate in such as camping, parks, Caravan holidays, weekends away and so on.
1) FIND ANOTHER JOB
Is the job you are in right for you? Are you happy to go to work? Do you find fulfilment in your job?
If the answer to the above questions is NO, it might be time to find another job. This is definitely easier said than done. You will leave that job when you are ready to go. This type of change can also be stressful but if you find another job that makes you happy, it’s worth it.
Now I’m not saying you need to find the PERFECT job to reduce or eliminate stress, but maybe you could find a job that doesn’t make you miserable.
I am so much happier now than I was working a desk job that made me miserable.
Try some of these ideas to help you control your stress levels or come up with your own ideas. No one knows you better than you!
You will find what works for you!
