Stress is all around us and it’s unfortunately impossible to eliminate. It also seems to compound upon itself, making it that much harder to stay on top of. This can lead down a difficult slope when not managed correctly.
While stress can’t be fully eliminated, it can definitely be reduced, and ways to reduce it are actually pretty simple and within your control.
Here are 5 simple ways to reduce and manage stress:
1. Sleep
There are so many benefits that come from sleeping 7-9 hours each night that it should be prioritized each and every day. Your body fully repairs itself in sleep and helps prevent weight gain, heart disease, and illness. Getting enough sleep also helps concentration, productivity, and cognition, which are all immensely important to reducing stress.
2. Eat Clean
Food is your body’s fuel, and can have an immense impact on how our body responds to stress. Poor quality of food can make you more lethargic and less motivated, and is linked to obesity, heart diseases, and cancers. Many aches and pains are also due to inflammatory foods such as sugars, grains, alcohol, and dairy. We recommend everyone do a Whole30 to learn which foods irritate them specifically.
3. Hydrate
More than half of your body is made up of water, and it has profound effects on your body’s function. Your body regulates its temperature, prevents infections, and keeps your organs working properly, especially your brain. Being well dehydrated improves sleep quality, cognition, and mood, which are all factors that affect stress. You will want to consume at least ½ of your bodyweight in ounces of water daily (ie. 200lb male = 100oz of water).
4. Exercise
Your body is meant to move, and great things happen when you do. Exercise and physical activity release endorphins, which can improve sleep and reduce stress. Regular exercise improves your mood, helps you relax, and lowers symptoms of depression and anxiety. At least 30 minutes per day of activity will greatly help.
5. Organize
Stress compounds much more when you are unorganized. A huge benefit to being organized is that it will require you to do less last minute scrambling, keeping you in greater control of stressful situations that come your way. Make a list of the things you need to complete, and block off times in your days to complete certain tasks. Pick the quickest and easiest things to complete first. Momentum creates momentum, and you will find yourself completing more day to day.
Stress is inevitable and will always be around, but managing it is within your control. The best thing you can do for yourself is to focus on these simple ways to reduce its impact, and you will live a much smoother, happier, and healthier life.