Getting stuck at home due to the COVID pandemic or other reasons can get taxing after a while. After all, it’s human nature to want to socialize and travel. These days of social distancing can cause feelings of isolation and anxiety. If you’re someone who is feeling stressed from our new “distance” lifestyle, here are some 5 ways to help you relieve your stress!
Indulge in Self Care
Sometimes when you’re focused on work and family obligations,, it’s easy to forget the core component: you. In all the hustle and bustle, it’s natural to overlook self-care. Overlooking your own needs will add to your problems. It’s important to practice self-care because it not only helps us become better; it also helps relieve stress.
Take a bubble bath, do yoga, work on a puzzle, watch a movie, go for a walk or, eat something you enjoy. Just remember that in the end, your self-care is just as important as your other daily obligations.
Begin Exercising
Exercising is another key to stress relief. Not only does it release endorphins (which are hormones that are secreted into the brain and nervous system that cause you to feel good) it’s also good for your physical health.
Exercise has proven to be helpful in regards to stress and anxiety relief. You don’t have to start a strict regimen of extreme cardio or weight lifting to get benefits from exercise. You can begin by simply walking for 10 minutes a day or doing push-ups in your home. As you build your stamina and confidence, you can create an easy stress relief exercise routine that works with your health needs and schedule.
Ask for Help
It’s important to remember that you’re not alone. Use your social circle to help you complete tasks when you get overwhelmed. Family, friends, neighbors, coworkers and church members can play a vital role in helping you when you are struggling. If you’re feeling stressed, instead of letting it bottle up and explode later, it’s a wiser decision to simply ask for help. There are many small tasks that can be done by others. Close members of your social circle (trusted ones) can also help when you just need to vent about your frustrations.
Take a deep Breath
Use a quick deep breathing technique to provide temporary relief of stress symptoms. Start by thinking of a word or image that brings you a since of peace or calm. For example, the work relax or an image of a beach might bring you feelings of happiness or peace.
To do it:
- Sit in a comfortable chair or lie down
- Close your eyes and picture the word or image.
- Focus on your breath
- Alternative between normal and deep breaths, noting the difference
- Practice deep breathing for a few moments
- Place one hand below your belly button and relax your belly. Focus on how your belly rises when you inhale and falls when you exhale.
Add more fruits and vegetables to your diet
Binge and unhealthy eating habits is often associated with stress. To counter that, try eating natural food like fruits and vegetables. Having a healthy diet will help naturally combat your stress. During the holidays it can be difficult to practice healthy eating habits. Try to limit purchasing junk foods and make sure you have more healthy food options at home.
If you’re feeling stressed over the holidays, try some of these methods and let us know how it goes?