Stressed? Here’s how to find calm
Stress. We’ve all experienced it at some point in our lives, but if you find yourself feeling stressed or anxious for long periods, it can have serious consequences for your health. We all have daily challenges we need to deal with that can lead to stress – work issues, relationship problems, financial worries, debts or even something as (seemingly) simple as finding time to get the housework done.
Stress manifests itself in many forms. You might be losing sleep because you’re worried about something, feeling frequently frustrated and exhausted, unable to make good decisions (or even any) and generally not able to keep up with your everyday activities.
In these situations, it’s essential to find calm and get the balance back into your life. However, eliminating stress is, unfortunately, easier said than done. But it’s not impossible, especially when you start with quick and simple ways to reduce stress and stay calm – remember, it’s always better to take positive action and do something about it rather than ignoring it.
When you feel overwhelmed by stress, take a break from your routine and try something new. Here, we share some quick and easy ways to de-stress and regain your calm, helping you meet your challenges head-on and deal with whatever life throws at you.
1. Control your breathing
Breathing exercises can help you relax. By controlling your breathing, you’ll trick your body into feeling relaxed even if you’re not. Take a few deep breaths to help reduce tension and get an extra boost of oxygen. Practice deep breathing techniques by breathing in through your nose until your lungs reach full capacity and then exhale through your mouth, pushing out as much air as you can while contracting your abdominal muscles. You’ll be surprised how much peace this brings to your mind and spirit. Stay calm – breathe.
2. Take a break
Yes, we all have work deadlines and other stuff that raises our stress levels, but when you feel your shoulders start to hunch up around your ears, get up and take a break from everything that’s bothering you. Free your mind by taking a few minutes to steal some silence, which will relax you both physically and mentally. Think happy thoughts that will help you to focus and brighten up your mood.
3. Go for a walk
Something as simple as taking a walk can immediately refresh your mind, especially if you do it with a friend. A little conversation can brighten your mood and bring a fresh perspective to things. If possible, take a walk in a park with bright, green surroundings to experience instant meditation effects on your body. Exercise is a great stress reliever because your body releases endorphins, which promote a sense of well-being and reduce those stress hormones.
4. Play your favourite song
Any music that you love will make you feel a little better. Music is a relaxing way to reduce stress, as it floods your brain with feel-good neurochemicals like dopamine. If you don’t have headphones to listen through, go ahead and make your own music. Humming and singing will send warm and positive feelings to your brain that will lighten your mood.
5. Give yourself a sweet treat
No, we’re not advocating stress eating, but it’s perfectly fine to eat just a little bit of chocolate or something sweet to make you smile (and get a nice – albeit short-term – sugar rush while you’re at it). Just be careful and don’t let stress be an excuse to indulge in too many sweet things.
6. Count to 10
It may sound simple, but it works! If that feeling of chaos strikes, stop what you are doing and count to 10. We promise it will help you to deal more easily with the issue that you’re experiencing.
7. Have a change of scenery
Whether it’s a short holiday or a simple day trip to a nice location nearby, changing your environment will help brighten your mood. Breaking the same old daily grind routine to experience new things helps change your perspective. Just ensure you spend only what you can afford, so you don’t add more debt stress after your return.
8. Trust your instinct
Trust yourself; do what you think is right and what works best for you. Sometimes we often make such a big deal of things that we get bogged down in the details and can’t see the bigger picture. Try not to overthink things, have a clear mind and then make a decision. Trust your instincts – you’ve got this!
9. Think positive
We all make mistakes, and there’s no reason to dwell on the things that didn’t work out or the poor decisions from the past. Avoid accepting negativity in your surroundings. The key to a calm and stress-free life lies in your attitude. By focusing on the positive, you will attract positive results.
10. Seek professional help
Never hesitate to ask for help. If your stress level has reached a point where you are struggling to cope with everyday tasks, it’s vital to reach out to a professional, such as a doctor or therapist. They can provide the necessary assessment and intervention. While there may be costs involved, the benefits you will gain are invaluable.
Or, if your primary source of stress is debt, especially if your debts are overwhelming, consider requesting a free debt assessment. Safe Debt Management has successfully helped many Australians reduce their debt, freeze interest rates, and move towards financial freedom. Contact us today – what do you have to lose but your debts?