With an ongoing pandemic and recent political turmoil, many people have been living in a storm of stress which has negatively impacted their well being. Prolonged stress in human beings directly impacts their health, including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, depression, sleep disorders and many others. In order to prevent this happening, experts recommend the following lifestyle habits that can reduce your stress levels:
- Meditation: Doing meditation exercises regularly is proven to help lower cortisol levels, blood pressure and heart rate. A simple meditation requires you to bring your full attention to your breath and inhaling/exhaling through your nose. If you feel your mind starting to wander off, focus back to your breath without judgement.
- Exercise breaks: If you work at home and don’t do much movement during the day, regular physical activity is a great way to reduce stress and keep a strong immune system. Engaging in a 30 minute exercise break every day will increase your heart rate and oxygenate your body, boosting your endorphin levels and reducing stress.
- Take a nap (or two): Consistent poor sleep is directly related to higher stress levels. If you have trouble sleeping at night, try taking two naps no longer than 30 minutes each to counteract the negative effects of sleep deprivation.
- Listen to the music you love: Experts have proven that playing your favorite tune can boost your mood, relax your muscles and release some of the accumulated stress during the day. Music is effective for relaxation and stress management, depending if you put on some classical music or some heavy metal.
What other lifestyle habits can you think of that helps you reduce stress levels in this unique day and age?
