According to Huffington Post's research, these are some 100 sure-fire ways to decrease stress. This is where we pulled our inspiration (regarding the 30 Day Challenge) from.
- Write your worries down in a journal.
- Read a book for six minutes.
- Eat an avocado. The monounsaturated fats and potassium in the superfood can lower blood pressure.
- Take a walk in green space.
- Bring your dog to work. Research suggests having Fido in the office can lower stress levels throughout the day.
- Try some aromatherapy. One 2009 study found it’s an effective stress-relief technique, especially for high school students.
- Belt it out at karaoke...
- ...Or sing in your church choir.
- Take up knitting. Research shows the activity puts your brain in a state of flow similar to the one achieved through meditation.
- Speaking of which, try a little mindfulness meditation.
- Unsubscribe from all of those promotional emails.
- Try the “chocolate meditation” technique. This allows you to fully savor the sweet treat. Instructions here.
- Take an email vacation. (Bonus: It also makes you more productive.)
- Think about something you’re grateful for.
- Exercise. Research shows it helps boost the body’s ability to handle stress.
- Be mindful of how you deal with frustration during an argument.
- Power down that smartphone for a few minutes.
- Walk the walk. Research shows if you carry yourself like a happy person, you’ll feel happier, too.
- Reflect on what (and who) is important in your life.
- Eat foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Bring on the salmon!
- Live in Salt Lake City (or just take a visit). It was named the least-stressed city in the country in 2014.
- Get a plant for your house or your desk.
- Get in touch with your inner yogi. Try one these yoga poses, specifically geared toward reducing anxiety.
- Say no. You can do anything, but not everything.
- Take a laughter yoga class.
- Dance it out. Not only does it reduce stress, it can also boost your memory.
- Surround yourself with the scent of pine...
- Sleep. Not only is it crucial to zapping stress, it’s key to your daily happiness. “When we’re exhausted, we drag ourselves through the day instead of enjoying the day,” HuffPost president and editor-in-chief Arianna Huffington once said.
- De-clutter your home or your desk.
- Become a morning person. (Or at least embrace the morning.)
- Spend time around horses.
- Pay attention to your surroundings.
- If you’re a smoker, quit.
- Distance yourself from stressful people in your life.
- Repeat a positive affirmation. Looking for a few examples? Try these.
- Choose not to wait in line.
- Spend time with the person you’re in love with.
- Drink a cup of green tea.
- Feel free to ignore your boss while you’re on vacation.
- Try a “mood monitoring” exercise. Find tips on how to do it here.
- Take a break from social media.
- Use a little foul language (in the right company).
- Share a meal with a friend.
- Close your eyes, even for just a few moments. (But don’t do it while you’re driving.)
- Do something nice for someone else. Good karma and less stress? Win.
- Give yourself some quiet time.
- Write your thoughts on a piece of paper, then physically throw them out.
- Set “stress boundaries.” If someone — or something — is starting to stress you out, step away from the situation.
- Color a picture. This activity isn’t just for kids!
- Try a de-stressing app. Programs like Headspace, Calm and our own GPS for the Soul are designed to reduce stress.
- Spend a little time in the sun. (Just wear your SPF!)
- Take a lunch break away from your desk.
- If your stress becomes unmanageable or overwhelming, consider seeing a therapist.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/11/05/ways-to-de-stress-100_n_6068956.html
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