It is an integral part of our lives to experience stresses or hardships that can inspire us to undertake projects we wouldn’t otherwise take on. We can take advantage of the boost we get from reacting to stress in a healthy way when we want to meet deadlines, complete our school or work assignments, or resolve any problems we face. Life’s challenges can be viewed as opportunities for learning and growing rather than wasting time worrying about how we will handle them.

Healthy living begins with self-care, and the more you practice it, the more confident and creative you will become. Stay on top of the game during times of stress by trying different wellness and relaxation products while keeping also this list of handy tips that make a difference. There’s no reason to suffer in silence through times of stress- it’s time to take action now.

Stay active

You can benefit from physical activity on a physical level and also mentally. Take part in some exercise outside, such as walking, running, biking, or dancing. If you cannot go outside, try stretching, dancing, or any other activity where you can move. Make use of what works for you.

Take a break from the news

Seeing constantly conflicting stories about a disaster can easily increase your anxiety, especially if those stories are being reported by websites that publish misinformation to attract more viewers. Due to this, it’s a good idea to limit how much time you spend with the news. It’s very important to keep current with what is shutting down, but determine how much you can handle on a daily basis. Social media isn’t the only place you can escape the news, so if you can’t ignore your friends’ posts or recommended stories, you may want to minimize your time spent there.

Make time for a massage

An examination published in September 2020 of the journal Scientific Reports indicates that 10 minutes of shoulder massage can alleviate stress, decrease blood pressure, and improve heart rate variability. The difference in time between two heartbeats, also known as heart rate variability (HRV), is measured by Harvard Health Publishing. HRV reflects the nervous system’s ability to settle down and digest instead of a stressed-out fight-or-flight response. You can splurge on a professional massage, grab a massage gun, or simply ask someone to rub your shoulders by using essential oil for skin tightening to improve your mood and skin.

Connect with others

When you spend time with positive, loving people who care about and trust you, you will feel better overall, your stress level will go down, your mood will improve, and you will feel better about yourself. Families, close friends, members of support groups, peer counsellors at local drop-in centres could all help. There are also different systems of peer support and warmlines (free, confidential hotlines run by people with mental illness) in numerous communities that you can call if you need help.

Establish your priorities

Take a few moments to consider how many commitments you need to handle and whether they can be delegated or eliminated so you can focus on what’s most important.

Meditate

Maintain a regular schedule of small tasks. Repeating the behaviours more frequently increases the odds of them being incorporated into a daily routine. For instance, you could spend one minute focusing on what you deserve gratitude for rather than trying to meditate for an hour.

Prioritise sleep

A major factor in your overall health and well-being is how well you sleep. By getting enough sleep, you will keep your immune system functioning at its best and avoid infections, such as the recent coronavirus outbreak. Certainly, sleep plays a crucial role in the body’s immune response. As scientists know, sleep also is one of the most effective methods for lowering stress, as sleeping less can make us more susceptible to the effects of stress, causing us to react (or overreact) more quickly. Additionally, sleep is essential for the brain e brain needs sleep to function; Your mood, irritability, and emotional state will deteriorate if you don’t have enough sleep.

Try breathing to calm yourself

We all experience feelings of anxiety, worry, or anger that cause us to think fast and breathe rapidly. Try to visualize a tranquil place while closing your eyes. Consider how you would feel if you were there.

Spend time with your pets

Being around pets can be relaxing and mood-boosting. If you have a pet, you know how beneficial it can be. Studies have shown that pets such as cats and dogs contribute to lower levels of stress, anxiety, and depression while reducing loneliness as well. If you like, play with them and let your kid be silly, or cuddle with him or her on the couch. It is likely that just a few minutes with your pet will make you feel much brighter and lighter.

Take a holiday

Where can you here to go? Nothing to worry about. Regardless of whether you spend your day watching Netflix or staying put at home, schedule a “me” day in which you leave your work duties behind, book a sitter to watch your kids if you are the caregiver, or set aside one weekend day with no appointments or engagements.

Laugh

Last but not least, always remember to Laugh because it is indeed a great medicine. You can reminisce while talking to your family and friends about stories, photos, and videos.

Look for the good

Each day has something positive even if it is not the best. Before going to bed, think of something you are thankful for, no matter how small it may seem.

Ellen Diamond did her degree in psychology at the University of Edinburgh. She is interested in mental health and well-being.