Simple Steps to Relaxation

We all tend to lead relatively hectic lives. Up until the start of this year, many of us were run off our feet with commuting, working, childcare and other responsibilities. Throughout 2020, the unprecedented coronavirus and Covid-19 crisis has made chaos the norm.

Our lives now generally lack stability, as different measures and restrictions are constantly being introduced, guidelines on how to live our lives on a day to day basis, few of us know what we can and can’t do and our usual routines have been turned on our heads. Threats to health, jobs, social lives and more are keeping us all on edge. It’s not all too surprising that many of us are feeling the strain and are feeling anxious, stressed or less happy on a day to day basis.

While things may be difficult right now, and we may not be sure when things are getting back to normal, it is important that we don’t simply accept stress as a constant and a given in our lives. It’s important that we understand stress and do our utmost to combat it. Here’s a little more information on the subject that should help you along the way!

Understanding Stress

Stress is a natural and evolutionary response that we have developed. In short, we experience stress when we face a threat. The uncomfortable feeling and experience of stress serves to trigger our fight or flight response, ensuring our safety and getting us out of trouble. This issue is that, nowadays, many of us experience stress as a consequence of events that aren’t immediately life threatening. Stress can have negative consequences on our bodies and our minds.

Physical consequences of stress can include:

• Headaches
• Muscle tension

• Fatigue
• Sleep problems 

Emotional and mental consequences of stress can include:

• Anxiety
• Irritability
• Restlessness
• Sadness
• Procrastination
• Lack of motivation

You may also notice that you begin to behave differently when you are stress. You may experience:

• Emotional outbursts
• Undereating
• Overeating
• Social withdrawal

As you can see, it’s important that you don’t ignore stress. It needs to be tackled for you to leave a full and happy quality of life.

Know When to Seek Help

First and foremost, before getting onto ways to treat stress, it’s important to highlight the importance of knowing when to seek help. Sure, stress is a natural emotion. But if you find that you are under a constant state of stress, or experience stress without any particular trigger, you may be suffering from a mental health condition, such as anxiety. It’s always a good idea to consult your doctor if you’re struggling or concerned. They’ll be able to diagnose any underlying conditions that may be causing your stress and will then  be able to ensure you receive the best course of treatment for your individual needs and preferences. This could entail medication, therapy or a combination of the two. There are also a number of charities, support groups and helplines out there who you can confide in or consult too.

Dealing With Stress

If your stress isn’t associated with a mental health condition, there are a number of steps you can take to manage it. Here are some to consider.

Try Stress Relieving Products

There are all sorts of stress relieving products on the market, from cbd gummies to scented pillow sprays, scented candles, scented oils and more. It may take a while and a little trial and error to determine what works best for you, but it’s worth trying a few things out until you find something that suits you down to a tee.

Practice Mindfulness

Mindfulness is growing increasingly popular and really helps many people. Put simply, it is a practice that involves being aware of everything that’s going on around you, whilst simply observing everything without passing judgement. You let things be and let them pass.

Massage

Massage can help many of us loosen up and let go of tension. While spas may not be open yet, it may be a good idea to start browsing different facilities and opting for one to visit once spas do open back up.

Get Sufficient Sleep

You should be getting eight hours of sleep every night. Try to achieve this. Being well rested is likely to put you in a less heightened and anxious state.

As you can see, stress really isn’t all too good for your health. So, it’s important that you combat it when it starts to take on a regular presence in your life. Hopefully, some of the above information has helped to familiarise you with stress and some of the following advice will help you to take the best course of action against it!