Small Changes with Big Impacts For your Mind, Body & Soul

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Stress Relief

Having trustworthy friends you can talk to is a great way to blow off steam and get insightful guidance. A study conducted by Carnegie Mellon University found that people who rely on their friends and family as a stress buffer are less inclined to partake in drinking alcohol, smoking or drug use. Furthermore, recent studies show that having good relationships with friends helps with stress management, lengthens your life, improves psychological well-being and facilitates good cardiovascular health.

Taking breaks during the day is essential for stress relief. Going for a walk, stretching, a quick workout or just having a glass of water and looking outside the window are great ways to maximize breaks. These practices help keep stress levels low.

We underrate breathing but it is essential to our being. “Breathing sustains life by providing oxygen needed for metabolism and removing the by-product of these reactions, carbon dioxide. It is also one of the major regulators of pH within the body and has influence over the autonomic nervous system, circulatory system and metabolism.” Simply focusing on breathing techniques and practicing deep breathing are a great stress reliever.

Revive Your Energy

The simple act of drinking water is very impactful and directly related to stress. Staying hydrated and taking breaks for water helps revive your energy as well as lower your blood pressure, keeps your joints lubricated, prevents infections, and carries nutrients to all the cells in your body.

Moving your body throughout the day is a great way to elevate your energy.

Breathing in fresh air is a wonderful way to increase your energy.Taking a deep breath of fresh air has the effects of revitalizing your emotions, settling down your nervous system and garnering peacefulness.

Enhance Your Mood

Writing down your thoughts in a journal is a great way to improve your mood. It serves as a gateway to transfer your emotions onto paper, reflect and use as reinforcement.

Listening to music is a fantastic mood enhancer and a great way to invigorate your mood. Studies show that music has an enormous impact on mood. “Happy, upbeat music causes our brains to produce chemicals like dopamine and serotonin, which evokes feelings of joy, whereas calming music relaxes the mind and the body.” In other words, listen to good music and get moving.

Taking a short walk is another fantastic way to elevate your mood. It is an activity that will decompress and reset your state of mind. The best part is it has multiple benefits such as decreasing fatigue, food cravings and burning calories."

Read the complete article available at Thrive Global!

Reflection:

What are some stress-relieving activities that you engage in?

#Stress #Mood #Relief