Healthy ways to deal with stress

In a world where at least 60% of people suffer anxiety, 45% report being stressed and 45 million working days are lost each year to stress and anxiety, we just might consider doing something about it. Beyond taking medication we can all learn to moderate our anxiety and stress in healthy ways.

Live In The Present.
It has to start here because in the now, in the moment, there is no depression, no anxiety and nothing to worry about. Let go of what was and do not worry about what will be. All the suggestions below will enhance your ability to be in the moment not in a depressive past or an anxious future. They are all also ways of increasing the happy endorphins in your brain which also has the effect of keeping you younger for longer.

Use the time that you do have in non-stressful ways.
How long does it take you to get to work? On that journey are you living in the present being relaxed and easy with yourself or are you winding up for a difficult day? How about you use that time to listen to music, and audio book or if you are on public transport, actually read a book.

Mindful meditation.
Just 10 minutes a day of focused mindful quiet time can change your life. It is the practice application of living in the present. The ten minutes begins to seep into the rest of your day calming and relaxing your life.

Relaxing pastimes and hobbies
Painting a picture, cooking a meal, knitting a jumper, the list becomes endless. When you focus on a project, whatever it is, your ability to worry becomes diminished as you focus into the moment.

Doing good things for others
Doing things that make other people happy has the magic effect of making you feel better and increasing the happy endorphins in your brain. It might just be making someone a cup of coffee or helping an older person carry their shopping, a good turn to others is a good turn for yourself.

Leave work at work
In occupational health we talk a lot about work life balance. The evening review, in the mindfulness toolkit, stops the negative issues of work spilling over into home life. End you work day positively and leave the stress of work at work.

Get physical
If you raise your heart rate for as little as twenty minutes, your brain will respond by releasing a wave of happy hormones. It doesn’t need to be in a gym, a short run or a brisk walk will do the trick. It will also keep your musculoskeletal and cardiovascular systems in order.

Animal love
Not for everyone but having a pet, usually a cat or a dog is a fabulous way to reduce anxiety and stress. Having another being to look after can create a meaningful sense of purpose. The act of stroking or petting can reduce blood pressure and calm your system and the added need to walk your dog can help with your physical exercise.

Nobody wants anything and nobody needs anything
Taking time out just for you. Sometime that is all about you. What you need and what you want to do. It could be a hobby, it could be a Zumba class or a bath with candles and music. When did you last do something just for you?

Stress is in the eye of the beholder
The psychological concept is that “thoughts become things”, “the things that you think about you bring about” means that what you focus on will get ever bigger in your conscious awareness, “what you feed grows and what you starve dies”. In neuropsychology we know that for most of us the ability to be happy or depressed, stressed or relaxed, anxious or calm, is a choice. We choose what we focus on every moment of everyday. If we feed good thoughts we have good experiences and if we feed bad thoughts we have negative experiences. It is our choice.

Make your choices today, ones of calm relaxed happiness.

Take care

Sean x