Simple Ways to Reduce Stress and Improve Wellbeing

With so many errands to run, people to meet, or tasks to complete for a demanding job, it’s no wonder many of us are stressed out and feeling ill these days. Finding ways to reduce that stress and improve overall wellbeing, then, is crucial.

Fortunately, there are a variety of simple things you can do to help with this each day. Try one or all of these listed below and feel your stress melt away.

Go for a Walk

Exercising to reduce stress and improve wellbeing can be as simple as taking a walk around your neighborhood or place of employment. Enjoy the change of scenery to help you focus on something other than whatever it is that is stressing you out these days.

Try to find ways to fit in at least fifteen minutes of walking a day to keep you in both physical as well as psychological well-being.

Try Aromatherapy

According to scientific studies, certain scents can affect your brain waves and lessen the level of stress hormones coursing throughout your body. Considering how smells can trigger memories and evoke feelings, it’s easy to see how aromas have a role to play in reducing stress and improving wellbeing.

Simple aromatherapy methods can help you feel relaxed, increase your energy level, and calm your mind so that stress is less dominant in your day-to-day activities. Try using pure essential oils for aromatherapy, light candles, or lather on aromatic body products in calming or energizing scents to help you navigate your day in a more relaxing way.

Listen to Relaxing Music

Take a few minutes or an entire lunch break and listen to some relaxing music. This calming method can create a positive effect within your body and brain, reducing overall blood pressure and reducing the production of the stress-related hormone known as cortisol.

The music you choose will depend on your particular likes and dislikes, but good choices are classical music and types incorporating nature sounds such as ocean waves.

Take a Deep Breath

Taking a few deep breaths and changing the way you breathe can take you a long way in successfully handling stress. It only takes a few minutes of focused breathing to calm the mind and body.

Stop whatever it is you are doing or thinking, and sit up straight in your chair. Inhale and exhale slowly, counting to five with each. Fill your lungs fully with air each time and slowly release.

This simple breathing method will oxygenate your blood, clear your thoughts, decrease overall stress, and increase physical and mental wellbeing.

Grab a Pen and Start Journaling

For many, writing thoughts, fears, and stressors on paper can be therapeutic and stress relieving. It’s as if you pour it all out on paper, relieving your mind of all that weight.

Consider carrying a small journal or notebook with you at all times so you can steal away a few minutes to write whenever you need to destress. Put the phone down, turn the screens off, and spend 30 minutes to an hour writing whatever your heart desires.

Visit with Family or Friends

Take regular breaks to visit with family or friends you enjoy being around. If your time is limited, make calls to loved ones whenever possible to refocus your energy. A reassuring voice over the phone can make all the difference in your day.

If you can spare time to meet for lunch or after work, this will go a long way in helping to reduce your stress and increase your mental wellbeing as well. Enjoy a few hugs if possible, as these can release oxytocin, the cuddle hormone, and bring more happiness to your day.

Laugh More

Get together with friends or family and laugh together. If no one is available, spend time watching a funny movie, a short comic video online, or attend a comedy show.

Laughter is physically known to release mood-enhancing endorphins in the body and lower those stress-causing hormones.

While stress is often an unpreventable part of life at times, there are ways you can handle it simply and provide relief. Whether you prefer taking a walk, using pure essential oils for aromatherapy, or meeting a friend to watch a funny movie, you always have ways to take care of yourself when too much stress comes to call.