Thread by @MindHaste

16 Ways to Undo Stress and Relax

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Stress and anxiety are common experiences for most people.
We hope that stress is not part of your everyday life,

as an increased stress level can have serious long-term consequences for your health.

All of these techniques are simple (yet powerful) and can be used when short on time.
Most can be utilized anywhere, including at work.

So here are 16 relaxation techniques you can use to induce a sense of calm.

1. Try mindfulness

Mindfulness involves being aware but non-judgmental about our thoughts, feelings, and surroundings.

Many people use mindful meditation to reduce negative emotions like stress and anxiety,

but we can also work on being more mindful in our daily lives by building skills
like present awareness and compassionate acceptance

So next time you are feeling like you need to relax,
try to practice these skills or do a short mindful meditation to gain some peace of mind.

2. Do positive visualizations

When you visualize something positive, your brain reacts as if those things are actually happening, in your real life.

So when you imagine being in a calming location or doing something relaxing,
you tell your body that it can start to relax too.

3. Listen to relaxing music

One study showed that listening to calming music helps us more quickly reduce cortisol in our bodies

So next time you don't have time to stop and do a longer relaxation technique, just put on some relaxing music.

4. Meditation

Meditation is probably one of the best ways to reduce and overcome stress.
This relaxation practice eases the mind and does good, no matter in which form.

To reduce stress in the long term, you should start meditating daily.

5. Generate positive emotions

Positive emotions can actually undo negative emotions that make us feel stressed.

In fact, positive emotions create upward spirals of positivity that may help us stay happy and relaxed

6. Exercise

It promotes the ability to concentrate, strengthens muscles, increases immunity, and, above all, reduces stress.

Regular exercise not only reduces stress levels,
but it also hardens you against further stress.

You increase your natural stress resistance and achieve a better state of balance.

7. Laughter

Laughing is free, we all know how to do it,
there are no disadvantages and it turns your mood by 180 degrees.

Put on your widest smile whenever possible and be silly. You’re doing yourself a favor.

8. Outsmart your smartphone

We have to be careful because spending too much time on our phones or the Internet is associated with higher levels of depression and anxiety.

You can learn how to outsmart your smartphone and develop a relationship with technology that helps you feel better.

9. Do activities that you enjoy

Do things we enjoy, like hanging out with family,
can help our brains shift out of stress gear and into relaxation gear.

We just have to be sure to prioritize positive activities and make sure we do them to ensure that we relax every now and then.

10. Nutrition

A healthy diet helps you to release stress.
With a good diet, you are not only in good physical health and fit, but you are also more stress-resistant.

Just try it yourself:

drink half a liter of water every morning after getting up and eat fruit and vegetables every day.
Avoid fast and junk food, alcohol and control your coffee consumption.

you will notice a difference after just one week.

11. Write it down

While recording what you’re stressed about is one approach, another is jotting down what you’re grateful for.

Gratitude may help relieve stress and anxiety by focusing your thoughts on what’s positive in your life.

12. Spend time with friends and family

Being part of a friend network gives you a sense of belonging and self-worth,
which can help you in tough times.

Having strong social ties may help you get through stressful times and lower your risk of anxiety.

13. Learn to say no

Take control over the parts of your life that you can change and are causing you stress.

One way to do this may be to say “no” more often.

Being selective about what you take on can reduce your stress levels.
Try not to take on more than you can handle.

Saying no is one way to control your stressors.

14. Try not to imagine worst-case scenarios

If we know how bad it can get,
we assume we'll be more prepared,
but in fact, we just make it hard to de-stress and relax.

So try not to imagine the worst and instead try to imagine the best.

15. Take a cold shower or swim

One of the best ways to relax fast is to submerge yourself in cold water.

If you need a fast calm boost, give this relaxation technique a try.

16. Sleep

Sleep is super important for reducing stress and increasing relaxation as well.
Lack of sleep can contribute to anxiety and higher levels of stress hormones like norepinephrine and epinephrine.

So sleep well and sleep often.