We cannot avoid stress – we can only manage it. It has become part of our daily existence. In our previous blog, we had a closer look at Exercise as a first go-to stress management tool. We now look at a few other stress relief mechanisms we could practise.
Stress reliever 2: Deep Breathing
Mental stress activates your sympathetic nervous system, signalling your body to go into “fight-or-flight” mode. During this reaction, stress hormones are released and you experience physical symptoms such as a faster heartbeat, quicker breathing and constricted blood vessels. Deep breathing exercises can help activate your parasympathetic nervous system, which controls the relaxation response. The goal is to focus your awareness on your breath, making it slower and deeper.
Stress reliever 3: Consider Medication or Supplements that reduce stress and anxiety.
- One study showed that medical students who received omega-3 supplements experienced a 20% reduction in anxiety symptoms. Read up about vitamins that build your immunity and choose to lead a healthy lifestyle.
- Lemon balm, mint, valerian, kava kava and other herbal product have been studied for their anti-anxiety effects to treat mild stress.
- Green and herbal teas claim to contain antioxidants, increasing the feel-good serotonin hormone.
- Some supplements can interact with medications or have side effects, so you may want to consult with a doctor if you have a medical condition.
Stress reliever 4: Learn to Say NO!!
Not all stressors are within your control, but some are. Juggling more responsibilities than necessary can leave you feeling overwhelmed. Take control over the parts of your life that you can change. One way may be to be selective about what you take on and saying “no” more often. Try not to take on more than you can handle.
Stress reliever 5: Learn to Avoid Procrastination
Stay on top of your priorities and stop procrastinating, which leads you to act reactively, scrambling to catch up. Get in the habit of making a to-do list organised by priority. Give yourself realistic deadlines and work your way down the list. Give yourself chunks of uninterrupted time, as switching between tasks or multitasking can be stressful itself. Prioritize what needs to get done and make time for it.
