The world seems to move faster and faster each day. All of us, even our kids, have many different activities and responsibilities. The more demands on our time and money, the harder it can be to budget those resources to care for ourselves. These 5 tips offer you ways to relieve stress without spending a lot of time or money.
1. 4-7-8 Breathing.
You can do this anytime and anywhere. Simply inhale on a 4 count, hold the breath for 7 seconds and then exhale for 8 seconds. Repeat this breath cycle four times to relieve stress. This is a proven exercise to reset the brain and mood. Go ahead, try it now!
2. Spending time with friends and family.
Having time scheduled for fun and relaxation with the people who matter most can help to keep things in perspective, and it gives us something to look forward to.
3. Using guided meditation available on YouTube.
What did we do before YouTube came around and showed us how to do everything? Chances are that you’ve heard about someone who meditates, because it’s becoming more and more popular. A guided meditation is a great way for newcomers to experience meditation for the first time and relieve stress. You can simply close your eyes and listen to someone’s voice as they teach you to meditate. You can find videos that last anywhere from a few minutes to an hour based on the time you have available. Try it out, but not while driving!
4. Exercising; especially outdoors.
We release endorphins when we exercise, and endorphins can make us feel happy and energized. Physical activity also helps us to exert ourselves in a way that clears the mind of all thought. When you take exercise outdoors, you also experience the added benefits of sunlight and fresh air.
5. Getting 7-9 hours of sleep a night.
It’s almost impossible to manage all of life’s demands without enough sleep. When we don’t have enough rest, we don’t have enough energy. We are crankier and anything and everything can stress us out. Most adults require 7-9 hours of sleep. Making a commitment to get the necessary sleep will help you to manage your stress.
Do you have any great tips for fighting stress? We want to know about them. Share them in the comments below!