Feeling stressed at this time of the year? When you feel stressed, your body releases adrenaline which causes your breathing, heart rate and blood pressure to increase. These reactions give you the ‘fight or flight’ response, which helps you to deal with the situation. When we feel stressed it can be easy to adopt unhealthy lifestyle habits such as eating unhealthy foods and not being physically active, which can increase your risk of heart disease. The key is to recognise when you are beginning to feel stressed and put things in place to reduce it. Exercise, socialising, sleeping, meditation and trying mindful activities can help to manage your stress levels. In this healthy tip, we look at ways to reduce your stress levels.
Exercise regularly
Physical activity reduces the levels of stress hormones in the body. Exercising regularly and aiming to meet the physical activity guidelines of 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity per week will help to lower your risk of heart disease as well as help to relieve stress, tension and anxiety. Next time you are feeling stress, why not try walking or running in nature, meditation or a yoga class?
Spend time with friends and family
Spending time with friends and loved ones can significantly reduce stress by providing emotional support and connection. Socialising releases feel-good hormones like oxytocin, which counteract stress hormones. You may find it beneficial to talk through your situation with those that you trust or simply use the conversations to distract your mind.
Find a new hobby
Engaging in hobbies can be a good way to destress by providing a creative and enjoyable experience. Activities like cooking, knitting, drawing, gardening or taking part in sports or physical activities can help you to relax and refrain from dwelling on negative thoughts or worries. Finding enjoyment in hobbies releases dopamine, which improves mood and fosters a sense of accomplishment. Try different hobbies until you find one that you enjoy and leaves you feeling happy.
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