Stress in our modern society is, unfortunately, very common—especially as so many of us try to juggle a career, parenting, and other responsibilities. And in the U.S., it seems to be getting worse with each new generation. According to an American Psychological Association (APA) Stress in America survey, Millennials report feeling more stressed than Baby Boomers, Generation X, and other older adults.
No matter your age, chronic stress may tempt you to take anti-anxiety medication. But before you decide to go that route, know there are many natural ways to reduce stress that don’t require a prescription.
Here are five things you can do to ease your stress level today.
- Listen to Your Favorite Playlist
It’s no secret that listening to soothing music can bring your stress level and blood pressure down rapidly, but what’s interesting is that it may also help prevent it in the first place. A study found that women who listened to music before being exposed to a stressful situation recovered from the stress-inducing incident more quickly.
And it’s not just slow music that can alleviate stress. Whatever you’re into jazz, disco, rock, or ’80s pop, turning up your favorite tunes and dancing along is a great way to forget about your worries and blow off some steam.
- Meditate
Meditation is a great way to combat stress. Just sitting or lying down and focusing on your breathing forces you to be in the present moment, so you’re not worrying about the past or future. You can even retreat to your car during your lunch hour to grab some peaceful time for yourself. If quieting your thoughts is challenging for you, try a guided meditation online. They are often set to soothing music and will help you visualize pleasing situations.
Researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center discovered that people who practiced mindfulness meditation had sharply reduced stress-hormone and inflammatory responses to a stressful situation. Practicing meditation at bedtime can also help you drift off into more peaceful sleep.
- Get Enough Quality Sleep
Stress affects your sleep quality, and vice versa. When you’re stressed out, you may have a difficult time falling asleep and staying asleep through the night. And not getting enough zzzzzs can make you feel more stressed and just cranky in general.
Try to end the sleep and stress cycle by doing what you can to bring down stress levels before bedtime. You can try meditation, reading, doing some yoga poses, and enjoying a healthy snack that will help you relax.
- Tickle Your Funny Bone
Laughter really is the best medicine, according to the Mayo Clinic. Laughing at something you genuinely find funny relieves stress immediately and can help bring down your heart rate and blood pressure. And the more you can find humor every day, the better your health gets: long-term effects from laughing include an improved mood and immune system.
So watch your favorite funny clips online or a comedy movie to stop stress in its tracks.
- Create Something
A study found that making art drastically reduces levels of cortisol—the stress hormone—in the body. Creative activities help take your mind off whatever is bothering you. Creating any kind of art also helps improve mental health, no matter what your skill level. So draw, paint, knit, make a scrapbook, or anything else and feel your stress melt away.
Don’t Let Stress Control You
As you can see, there are many holistic methods to help you manage your stress. Try some of these and check out our latest health and wellness posts for more tips on how to feel at peace and live your best life every day.
About the Author: Ascension Lifestyle Contributor Krista Harper
Krista Harper is a freelance writer and yoga instructor in Southern California. She regularly covers lifestyle, mental health, and nutrition topics and has a passion for helping people create balance in their lives.
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