Considering the damaging consequences of stress, the question, “How to relieve stress?” should be on everyone’s mind. According to research by the American Psychological Association in April 2012, job pressure is the top cause of stress in the United States.[1] By reducing your stress levels, you can boost your productivity and even feeling more energetic!
Relieving stress is important for a myriad of reasons that go well beyond workplace productivity. High levels of stress produce hormones, such as cortisol and adrenalin. These stress hormones are necessary to make it through life, but if you are under the influence for too long of a period of time, rather nasty negative health outcomes can ensue. In fact, 77% of people surveyed in the study mentioned above said they regularly experience physical symptoms due to their high levels of stress. This all underscores the great importance of tackling stress head on in whatever way works best for you personally. In this article, we will look at how to relieve stress, feel better and increase productivity in the process.
Taking the time to think about how to relieve stress is time well spent. Stress is a killer of more than productivity, as it also can shorten your lifespan and lead to premature aging. It weakens your immune system and that could mean more sick days and subpar workdays where you don’t manage to get anything accomplished.
1. Meditation Works!
Meditation does not receive all the well deserved attention that it should be receiving; however, that situation is beginning to rapidly change. Medical research has concluded that meditation does, in fact, work.
Meditation is also highly versatile as you can do it anywhere you have a quiet space. Meditation has been shown to reduce inflammation throughout the body and this, in turn, helps you feel better. Additionally, meditation has also been shown to increase overall mental clarity and boost mental performance. The sense of calmness that meditation produces is real and it can help you feel much better after a stressful day.
2. Change Your Diet
All too often people don’t link stress and diet, but there is a very real link between the two. Stress depletes your body of vitamins and minerals, and this can become a vicious cycle. Becoming run down and not functioning properly can lead to problems that cause you more stress. Improving your diet, by eliminating processed foods and fast foods, and replacing them with healthy foods, such as fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds, will help you get the nutrition that you need to address a busy and stressful day. If you want to know how to relieve stress, then the answer could be on your dinner plate!
3. Invest Time in What You Enjoy
If you have a hobby that you enjoy, don’t ignore it because you have to spend more time working. Too much time focused on working and nothing else will lead to burnout and lost productivity. If you are to stay productive, creative and alert you need to take breaks. One clever way to tackle your stress can be as simple as talking to a friend about your stress or even a random topic.
How to relieve stress is largely about approach. Reconsider how you approach the stressors themselves as well as how you approach life. Embrace this fact, and you will soon be feeling rested, calmer and happier.
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