Between busy work schedules, bills, parenting, and rush-hour traffic, most of us are used to dealing with stress on a daily basis. But too much stress can negatively impact everything from your job performance to your physical health. It is impossible to avoid stress, but you can combat the negative effects with these five strategies for quickly reducing stress from Sears Imported Autos.
Why stress is a bad thing
According to the Mayo Clinic, humans are hard-wired to experience stress, which is the body’s natural, hormonal response to perceived threats. But while the body is meant to return to a relaxed state once the threat is gone, the "the nonstop stress of modern life means that your alarm system rarely shuts off.”
And what happens when your body’s natural alarm doesn’t shut off? It becomes stressed out and eventually begins to break down. Health conditions that are linked to stress include depression/anxiety, obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, sleep disorders, abnormal heart beats, menstrual problems, and skin conditions.
5 Ways to quickly reduce stress
- Take a deep breath. When you breathe deeply, your brain receives a signal to calm down. This sense of relaxation is then communicated to the rest of your body. If you are feeling stressed, stop what you are doing and focus on breathing deeply, ideally for a minimum of 3-5 minutes. Doing so will decelerate your heart rate and lower your blood pressure.
- Talk it out. In many cases, you really can talk relieve your stress simply by talking about what’s bothering you with a calm listener whom you trust. Keep your friends and family on your cell phone speed dial and tap into their wisdom and balance to help you regain yours.
- Stay tuned to reality. Surround your work station with visual reminders of the things that matter most to you and make you happy. By looking at your favorite photos of family, friends, and pets whenever you feel stress mounting, you can remind yourself of the things that keep you grounded.
- Take a walk. It doesn’t matter where you are, when you feel stress mounting, take a walk. If there is a park or green space close by, head in that direction. Breathing fresh air and feeling sunshine on your face are quick stress reducers that promote relaxation.
- Listen to what you love. You are most likely a button away from listening to your favorite music no matter where you are--at home, in the car, or in your office. An iPod is easy to carry for times when you need a little help to lock down any feelings of stress. If you can’t access music, sing to yourself. By focusing on music that you enjoy, your breath will naturally become more regular and your heart rate will steady.
By proactively combating stress, you’ll not only be happier and more relaxed--but you’ll guard your health, too.
