The Best Ways to Relieve Stress and Improve Your Mood

Chronic stress can have serious implications for your physical and psychological health. This is due to sustained high levels of chemicals released during the ‘fight or flight’ response. When you are stressed for an extended period of time, your body struggles to handle the influx of these hormones and chemicals. The results can be as minor as a headache or as major as heart problems. Click To Tweet

Relieve Stress For Better Health

Stress may be affecting your health without you even knowing it. You may think an ailment or illness is to blame for that persistent headache, acne, frequent insomnia or decreased productivity at work. But stress may actually be to blame. While short-term stress is normal, big events or chronic stress can have very real negative consequences to your health. It’s vital that you spend some time each day unwinding and recovering from the stress you’ve encountered throughout the day.

1) Hydrotherapy

Relaxing in a hot tub with jets of water releasing your tension is proven to energize and rest the body, improve circulation and activate the lymphatic system to help detoxification. It also promotes the release of endorphins, also known as the happy hormone. Studies have shown that just 20 minutes in a hot tub before bed improves your ability to fall asleep and stay asleep.

2) Meditation

Meditation, or mindful breathing, greatly reduces stress and prevents burnout. Meditation helps you gain awareness and perspective, so you can see negative thoughts and be able to separate them from your identity.  Becoming less identified with your emotions and thoughts strips them of all power. Further, meditation can be done anywhere, from your backyard to your parked car.

3) Walking

Exercise doesn’t have to be as intimidating as joining a gym. Something as simple as a daily walk can help you unwind and refocus. Walking can help you lose weight,  lowers your blood pressure and reduces your risk of many chronic diseases. Going for regular walks rewires your nervous system so much that you feel calmer and less likely to react with anger.  When you walk with your a friend or partner, the interaction helps you feel connected. The sunshine and fresh air are also powerful weapons against the winter blues.

4) Unplug

Walking away from your electronics helps remove feelings of jealousy, envy, and loneliness.  Solitude helps ground you to the natural world and provides the stillness and quiet required to settle your mind and reflect. When so much of your time is spent consuming social media, reality television or mindlessly searching Google, you have little or no time to take a breath.

5) Eat Healthy

When you’re stressed, the temptation to indulge in unhealthy food can feel irresistible. Fast food is cheap, convenient and offers instant gratification in the form of dopamine, the same chemical that fuels addictions. However, the negative effects of fast food on your body far outweigh its convenience. In fact, while you may opt for fast food as a comfort, it actually makes you feel worse. Swap the trans fat and processed junk for homemade dishes. Need a midnight snack? Cut up an apple and dip it in peanut butter, or reach for some low-fat popcorn.

Relaxation and Productivity

Relaxation might seem like an indulgence, but without it, your productivity, happiness, and health can suffer. Think of relaxation as filling your car up with gas. You can’t go far on an empty tank. Take time to relax, renew and refocus.

To find out how a hot tub in your own backyard can boost your mood and blast away stress, Contact Us.