Stress is something that a lot of us brush off as a normal part of life – and in some cases this is true. However, when you reach a point in your life when you start to feel stressed every day, it can be difficult for you to overcome it.
It is important now and again to take time for yourself in times of stress and identify ways to calm yourself down. Here are some of the different ways you can bust your stress this year to feel happier.
Assess the Issue and Fix It
A lot of the time your stress will have one root cause – and once you identify what this is you can work to fix it. For example, the root of your stress could be a project at work that you are struggling with, or perhaps a financial issue that needs resolving. As much as it might pain you to do it, solving the issue is the best cure for stress. Speak to your manager about how you feel, or tell your family or a financial advisor about your problems. Once you take a step to solve your stress issue you will feel like a huge weight has been lifted from your shoulders.
Cuddle a Pet
If you have a pet – one of the best stress-busting techniques out there is to give them a big cuddle. It has been proven that animals reduce our stress levels as they cause us to release happy hormones. This is why hugging and playing with your pet is a great way to relieve some stress from your life and make you smile again.
Catch Up with a Loved One
If you have been alone in your home, or you simply haven’t seen many people since the pandemic began, now is the time to take action. Consider hosting your family members in your garden or meet them at a local park for a walk. Catching up with the ones you love is a great remedy for stress and you will feel happier once you do it.
Take a Duvet Day
In recent years, some employers have introduced something called a duvet day. This is a type of vacation their employees can take if they wake up one morning and simply can’t go to work for mental health reasons.
Even though you might not officially have these, taking a duvet day for yourself is a great way to bust some stress. This will provide tinnitus relief, headache relief, and will help you to release all of that pent-up tension and stress in your body.
You can also take your duvet day to the next level by coupling it with your favourite relaxing hobby, whether that be reading a book, listening to music, or playing your favourite video game. People relax in different ways, so there is no one solution to stress. For some, reading 100 pages of that novel that’s captured their attention might help them switch off, while for others, playing the hercules ps1 game they loved as a child might do the trick. Some might just want to sit or lie in silence. Find what works for you to make sure your duvet day minimizes your stress and anxiety and sets you back on the right path.
Sit Out in the Sun
Sunshine is not only good for the skin but it is good for the soul too. When we go to sit out in the sunshine our body releases happy hormones and we feel more relaxed. Fresh air is so good for you and if you are feeling stressed or overwhelmed this week consider sitting out in the sunshine to help relieve it.