Many people even think that tons of rigorous workouts can be beneficial for stress, but according to studies this can actually have the opposite effect, if misused. Try these methods, instead:
1. Find an exercise program you like. If you actually enjoy the workout, part of the stress relief has already taken place. Create, or get help creating, a program which is based on 2-3 resistance weight workouts and 3-5 cardio workouts per week.
2. Do breathing exercises 2-3 times per day. Breathing helps calm down the nervous system physiologically and helps the body find balance in stressful situations.
3. Meditate a few times per week. It can be a guided meditation, it can be sitting to your favorite music or in a quiet place, and it doesn’t have to be any more mysterious that that.
4. Eliminate unhealthy foods from your diet. Processed foods, refined sugars, and too much caffeine put stress on the body. Treat your body with healing products and energy-rich foods such as fruits and berries, fresh organic vegetables, and lean meats. And heal your metabolism by eating small meals every three hours.
5. Give to others. One of the most powerful ways to heal yourself, get stress relief, and feel joy is to give, give, give. Whether you choose to lend an ear to a friend in need or open the door for someone, give a gift every day!
As you can see, stress relief is about so much more than just working out. Get out there and Live as Loud as you can!!!
Image: Helga Weber
One of the advantages of meditation is that it can be done anywhere, by anyone, at any time of the day to give yourself a welcome pause in an otherwise buzzing and noisy life. Here is a 5-minute breathing exercise that you can do first thing in the morning, while you are at work, or even sitting in traffic.
