Regardless of your age or schedule, it can be difficult to cope with the worries caused by everyday life.
And while stress can sometimes increase our ability to perform, when it is too intense, it can actually harm our well-being. In that case, it is essential to take time for ourselves, to recharge our batteries. To create a moment in which we really wind down. A time when the main thing is to nourish our body and mind. And all this without asking them to expend any particular energy.
Here are some tips on how to relieve stress and relax.
In case you still had doubts about this, physical activity is recognised as an essential asset for our mental health. In times of stress, exercise helps to channel the adrenaline released in the body. In addition, physical activity releases serotonin and endorphins, which contribute to a sense of well-being.
One example is running, a perfect exercise during which your body relaxes and enters a meditation-like state thanks to the phenomenon of “voluntary attention”.
Water sports allow the body to relax thanks to the massaging effect of water. The weightlessness effect makes all the muscles work without feeling any effort. As it is carried by the water, the body evacuates tensions and rigidity.
Ideal for learning to concentrate and to refocus on oneself, yoga is as much a sporting activity as it is a spiritual discipline. Thanks to its calming properties, you can clear your head and your whole body can relax. This sporting activity is perfect for learning to better manage stressful situations and to put life’s unexpected events into perspective. In the long term, yoga is also beneficial for relieving back problems.
Whether it’s television, computers, tablets or mobile phones, many studies have shown that spending long periods of time on screens, especially in the evening, can be associated with stress.
If you work on your computer all day, make sure you take frequent breaks and try to log off at least an hour before bedtime. Without touching your phone, of course…
Gentle music (classical, ambient, trip hop…) has a real soothing effect on our body. It slows down your heart rate, lowers your blood pressure and reduces stress hormone levels.
You can also listen to the sound of the sea, rain or whales singing, as well as to music specially designed to relieve stress on music platforms.
Meditation is an excellent tool to combat stress. It allows you to focus your attention on the present moment and better manage negative thoughts by concentrating solely on your feelings.
By practising this activity on a daily basis, you can reduce your nervousness, limit stress attacks and take a step back from events that cause you to feel unwell.
In order to make sure your meditation session is successful, sit in a quiet place. Find a position in which you are comfortable, but always keep your back straight. That way, you will condition your body to breathe well. Finally, close your eyes. Breathe in and out deeply to reduce stress.
Action is a good ally in the face of stress. It allows you to regain control in a short time. Change your sheets, tidy your room, do a bit of washing up… This helps to focus on concrete and controlled things. Gardening, baking, drawing and collage are also recommended when anxiety becomes too great. They help with concentration and will act as distractions that calm your mind.