11 Simple and Effective Ways to De-Stress!

If you’ve never experienced stress, you wouldn’t feel motivated to do much of what you need to do to thrive in life. However, when you start feeling fearful of these feelings of anxiety , that’s when you know you have a problem.

Stress disorder symptoms can manifest in our lives in a variety of mental, physical and emotional ways. Here are some of the different symptoms you may encounter if you are dealing with stress on a serious level:

• Problems with remembering things;
• Feeling irritable;
• depression  and negativity;
• Mood swings;
• Serious headaches;
• Fluctuations in sleep patterns .

While there are many other symptoms, describing all the ways stress can harm you would be a Herculean task. Instead, let’s start discussing solutions.

Remember that stress and anxiety can harm us physically, mentally and emotionally. It is a critical part of the recovery process that we diagnose the problem when it becomes severe. And then take steps to resolve it.

Simple and effective ways to de-stress:

Self-awareness of your stress levels  is a good first step, but it’s not likely to solve all problems. Once you understand how bad your stress  and anxiety levels are, it’s time to look for ways to manage that stress .

We’re not talking dozens of expensive, time-consuming visits to a therapist. While therapy may be an answer for some, often the best solutions can be elegantly simple and impressively effective.

1. Take a deep breath:

Let’s start with one of the most easily overlooked solutions: taking a deep breath.
This may seem basic, but it really is one of the best anti – stress tools you have at your disposal.

Remember, stress  is an emotional response. It indicates an overload of the senses and an inability to process your circumstances properly.

When you are faced with a stressful situation and you feel fear creeping into your thoughts, the first and best thing you can do is slow down and take a few deep breaths.

This provides oxygen to your brain and allows you to regain control over your cognitive process, which can help channel your thoughts and emotions in a positive direction. Instead of just panicking, you’ll find that taking a deep breath allows you to think rationally, regardless of the severity of the situation.

It also doesn’t detract from the fact that it’s a free, always-accessible, and easy-to-implement coping mechanism that you can rely on in virtually any stressful scenario. So this is one of the simple and effective ways to get rid of stress.

2. Massage:

If you’re literally feeling drained from all the stress , one of the best physical solutions available is getting a massage. The calming effects of a good massage are an excellent way to help resolve the physical symptoms of stress .

Also, if you consider the fact that it forces you to be still and relax for an extended period of time, it can make it the perfect way to slow down and let your body relax.

Even if you can’t afford the money to go to a quality spa regularly, always consider investing in something like a massage chair to achieve a similar effect.

They can offer back massages, foot massages and heat therapy, bringing the effects of a massage to the comfort of your own home. So this is one of the simple and effective ways to get rid of stress.

3. Diffuser:

If you encounter a predictably stressful situation on a regular basis — say, for example, at your workplace — it can be helpful to defuse stress by using one of the oldest tricks in the book.

Aromatherapy is an affordable and easy way to manage stress in a long-term situation. All you need to do is get a good diffuser, some water and some essential oils.

Lavender essential oil is one of the best options when it comes to stress . Not only is it a mild fragrance and a natural air freshener (so it doesn’t seem out of place to pump a room full of stuff).

But it’s also excellent for promoting mental well-being and sleep quality, both of which are important factors in the fight to reduce stress . So this is one of the simple and effective ways to get rid of stress.

4. Be Grateful:

As we discuss your mental well-being, another really important step in overcoming your fear of stress  is to practice an attitude of gratitude.

Again, this may seem like a simplistic suggestion, but the concept of “watching your attitude” isn’t just helpful in curbing a stubborn three-year-old’s negativity; it is the age-old wisdom that applies to everyone.

One of the best ways to start gaining control over our thought processes (especially the negative ones!) is to understand the cognitive behavior therapy concept of cognitive distortions.

These are classic ways the human brain tends to distort information, which can quickly lead to stress and anxiety . So this is one of the simple and effective ways to get rid of stress.

If you can start to identify thought processes like “disqualifying the positive” or “jumping to conclusions”, you are much more likely to bounce back and focus on being grateful.

Here are some ways to help you practice gratitude daily: 40 Simple Ways to Practice Gratitude

5. Control your sleep:

Did you know that the average modern night’s sleep is less than 7 hours? It was over 8 hours less than a century ago. So this is one of the simple and effective ways to get rid of stress.

The truth is, 6 hours of sleep a day is simply not enough. Not only that, but sleep is a crucial part of a healthy, happy life – and, of course, a less- stressed life as well .

If you’re stressed, one of the first things to do is take your sleep schedule seriously. This doesn’t just include longer sleep periods. Avoid screens before bed and consider implementing something like lavender essential oils to improve the quality of your sleep.

6. Essential oils:

While we talk about essential oils a few times, another great oil that can help fight stress and anxiety  is CBD oil.

CBD oil is a powerful natural supplement that, like lavender , not only fights anxiety , but promotes overall mental well-being.

It can also help improve sleep and relieve symptoms of depression , natural remedies to fight chronic long-term stress . So this is one of the simple and effective ways to get rid of stress.

If lavender diffusion just isn’t working, or if you can’t stand the overly floral aroma, consider taking some CBD oil as an alternative to help fight stress .

7. Move:

Another proven way to deal with stress  is to get up and move on. Whether you’re heading to the gym, going for a long run, or hitting the park with your dog by your side for some company, it’s important to set aside some time to exercise.

You may be preaching to the choir right now, but it bears repeating: Stress is not just a mental battle, nor is it just an emotional struggle that affects our physical bodies as well. So this is one of the simple and effective ways to get rid of stress.

Exercising helps release endorphins, boosts confidence, takes the sunshine out and helps distract you from whatever is causing you anxiety . In the same way that exercise is a classic antidepressant tool, it’s worth adding to the mix as you try to find relief from the stresses  and strains of life.

8. Get it all out of your head:

One of the ways stress can harm us is by confusing our thoughts. Between unprocessed feelings and worry about unknown or unpredictable events, anxiety  and stress can easily make a person feel like they are drowning.

One of the best ways to clear your thoughts and regain control over your mind when you’re dealing with serious stress is to simply grab a pen and paper and write it all down.

You can make a list of pros and cons, organize everything by categories, or create a mind map. So this is one of the simple and effective ways to get rid of stress.

Whatever your decision, taking the time to write down and organize your thoughts can immediately relieve pressure and help take fear and worry out of a situation. Take a look at this article and learn more about the technique: How to relax your mind to sharpen your brain and fall asleep faster

9. Chew a gum:

Did you know that gum has been shown to increase memory retrieval and reduce stress ? The important thing with this suggestion is to give it a decent chance. So this is one of the simple and effective ways to get rid of stress.

Some studies have shown that the actual act of chewing gum can be a little unsettling at first, but when implemented long-term, it can actually be a very effective anti- stress tactic.

It doesn’t matter if you’re managing a huge workload at school or dealing with unreasonable demands at work, keeping a pack of gum in your pocket can be a great option when you feel like your stress levels are rising.

10. Laughter is still the best medicine:

An apple a day might put the doctor away, but laughter is still the number one recipe for healthy living. It’s not just an old women’s tale either.

Science really supports this one. Laughter offers a number of different short-term and long-term benefits, particularly in the area of ​​stress you guessed it.

Laughter relieves tension, relieves pain, helps with mood, and even brings a flood of oxygen-rich air into the body. If you feel stressed, find a friend or two and do something fun that you know will make you laugh.

11. Don’t be afraid to say “no”:

Finally, just like pausing to take a deep breath, another proven stress management tactic is developing the simple ability to say “no”. So this is one of the simple and effective ways to get rid of stress.

It is always admirable to help those in need. Nobody is arguing this. But in the same way that you should put on your own oxygen mask before your child is sitting next to you on an airplane, it’s essential to understand that if you’re not aware of your own limits, you’re likely to end up being less effective for everyone.

If insecurities and fear of rejection cause you to uncontrollably say “yes” every time you are asked to do something, sooner or later you will have a panic attack.