In today’s society, competition is huge, and existence of stress is inevitable. However, we must learn to face pressure and turn stress into motivation. This is a way to relieve stress. So how do we relieve stress? In this article we will discuss some pro tips to deal with stress.
Why stress occurs
It is very difficult for us to distinguish between work and personal life, it only because the organization of the workflow involves using smartphones. Information through gadgets continually attacks our senses. Work letters and notifications often appear on the smartphone even when the day of work is over and you are finally ready to rest. In fact, the devices force us to devote the maximum time to work. And this is a straightforward path to stress and emotional burnout.
Our reactions to stressful situations are natural and necessary for survival. Beat, run or do nothing – our brain chooses any of these scenarios in order to restore balance. But this is typical for short-term, situational stress.
Long-term stress is a difficult test. It is difficult to control, because only the brain regulates psychological reactions and releases hormones itself at the moment when the frontal cortex fixes a stressful state.
Why playing sports is a great way to relieve stress
Some time ago, we couldn’t imagine how to relieve stress without alcohol: a few bottles of beer were a means of duty to feel good and relaxed. But then, when we took it upon our-self and refused such means, we realized that a 20-minute run at a moderate pace or a gym trip could yield a much more tangible result.
Endorphins are released “the hormones of happiness” during exercise. Being engaged in sports, you get a surge of good mood plus strengthening the body. This is a much more effective means than drinking beer, because beer only weakens your ability to cope with stress. And sport morally strengthens you:” a healthy mind in a healthy body”. That is, during the day, sports as well as meditation classes form in you a long-term ability to resist stress.
Some more pro tips to reveal the stress
Listen to music to relax body and mind
Listen to the music, anything you like. The pleasure you get from listening to music is also directly related to the brain’s chemical processes. They are triggered by a harmonious sequence of sounds and cause a sense of happiness and euphoria. Even sad and dull music can lift your spirits, no matter how paradoxical it may sound (at least for me).
But I personally use a smooth monotonous and slow sound, the so-called ambient music style, just for relaxation. To many, this kind of music may seem very tedious and boring, but this is the whole point. Many other musical styles are characterized by an intense compositional pressure of emotions, a fast rhythm and tempo, a sharp change of mood tones. All this, although it can entertain and please you, but in my opinion relaxation is not always conducive because such music bombards your brain with an abundance of notes and musical intonations.
If you’re tired and want to relax, then listening to something more contemplative and “reflective” is better, you may not like this music in the beginning, but at least you’re going to rest. At the same time, try to relax and “endure” for at least 20 minutes, try to forget all the problems and do not think about anything, “dissolve” in music.
Eat chocolate
Chocolates are useful to relieve stress scientists have conducted an experiment in the framework of which medical students ate 40 g of dark or milk chocolate daily. After 14 days, there was a decrease in stress levels among students who ate chocolate. So, eating chocolates on regular basis can also be beneficial to deal with stress.
Mediation
Meditation is a good way to reward yourself for wanting to control the inner and the outer. These exercises help to organize thoughts, feelings, body sensations, calm the mind, relieve tension. Thanks to this, a person gets useful experience and control over attention, reduces the level of discomfort and negative experiences.
Proper meditation strengthens communication within the brain. It activates and thickens the frontal cortex, reducing stress levels and making you feel better.
Therapy
If a person has difficulty with relaxation and cannot relax on his own, he should turn to specially developed techniques and should get the help of a trainer.
Progressive muscle relaxation is a special exercise system. First you need to use the main muscle groups, and then turn in to relax each of them.
This technique has proven very effective in reducing stress and physical discomfort.
In addition, the biofeedback method is widely practiced , which involves the use of special medical equipment. The patient is shown on the screen the work of his internal organs – how often the heart beats, how the blood pressure changes, how the brain works. Thanks to visualization, a person gets a strong motivation and a sense of control over his own body.
Massage Therapy
The explicit aim of Massage Therapy is to eliminate the cause of pain. If you take the normal classic healing massage, then its task is to relax the body. Also for therapeutic massage is characterized by the direction of impact on a particular area: if you are worried about your back, then on your back, if you have a foot, then you will also connect a leg.
Conclusion
Remember, we’re all very different, and you may need time to find your way to relax. By the way, I read books as a hobby. And it became a powerful tool for dealing with stress for me.
In situations where it is not possible to overcome the effects of stress with the help of lifestyle adjustments and good habits, you should contact your healthcare advisor. Properly chosen medication will help you save energy and prevent the symptoms of stress from getting worst during a difficult period.