Stress. Everyone experiences it to some degree in their life. It makes no difference if you are young or elderly, still employed or retired; we all go through it at some point. Work, relationships, break-ups, school, financial obligations, and other factors can all contribute to stress. There are times when stress can serve as a driver for you to get things done, and there are other times when it can overwhelm you and make you feel helpless. During a time of threat, the body’s fight-or-flight mechanism teaches an individual when and how to respond to danger. However, a person’s mental and physical health can be jeopardized and detrimental when the body is overstimulated or when too many stresses are present simultaneously. [This article, “Top 5 Hacks to Reduce Stress” was originally published in Newshealthwatch.]
Nonetheless, there are hacks that can help you reduce stress, and we’ve put together the top five. Don’t allow stress to take over your life. Let’s break down stress and take a look at solutions.
Understanding stress
The National Institute of Mental Health defines stress as the body’s and brain’s reaction to change, difficulty, or demand. Stress can be caused by a wide variety of circumstances or experiences in life. It is frequently triggered when we encounter something new, unexpected, or that poses a danger to our sense of self, or when we feel as though we have little control over a situation.
Everyone handles stress in their own unique way. Several factors can influence our capacity for coping, including our genes, the experiences we had in our formative years, our personalities, and our social and financial situations. Even if you don’t realize it, your stress symptoms may be damaging your health. You may believe that your nagging headache, frequent bouts of insomnia or dwindling output at work are the result of an illness. On the other hand, stress could be the root of the problem.
When it comes to relieving stress, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. What works for one person may not work for the next. As a result, having various stress alleviation options at your disposal is essential. Then, you’ll be able to choose the best strategy for your current situation. So, take what resonates, follow your unique path, and let’s dive into our top five hacks.
Hack #1 To Reduce Stress: Meditation
Since ancient times, people have utilized meditation to de-stress, recharge, and realign their mind and bodies. Many people find it to be a helpful method of coping with stress and worry. One can acquire a state of calm and serenity by clearing one’s mind. Meditation is simply directing the focus of your attention to put your mind at ease. Anyone can learn to meditate, regardless of their religious or spiritual beliefs.
There are many different ways to meditate. For beginners, try vipassana, which means “mindfulness,” one of the oldest types. Mindfulness meditation is the practice of learning to pay attention to what you are doing in the present (i.e., while you are doing it) so that you can focus better and be more aware of your senses. If you want to learn how to be more mindful, it’s best to start with something simple, like eating a piece of fruit.
Dedicate yourself to the practice of consistent mindful meditation and watch your life transcend.
Hack #2: Stress Therapy
It is ok to ask for help. Not only is ok but it’s also encouraged. We were not meant to take on life’s challenges alone. Stress management therapy is the use of specific techniques, strategies, or programs to lower stress levels, stop stress from happening, or deal with situations or events that could make stress levels rise. Instead of succumbing to unhealthy coping mechanisms such as drinking alcohol to excess, illicit drug use, or emotional eating to suppress the feelings that accompany stress, a therapist can help you identify and better understand the root cause of your stress triggers. “Unless you heal the root of a problem, the pain will not go away. You can hide from it, but the problem stays until you dig deep.” –Leon Brown.
It takes a great deal of self-knowledge, self-control, and hard effort to realize your full potential and evolve past your stressors. Why not get professional support on that journey? Seek, and you shall find. Invest in you.
Hack #3: Go On A Mental, Emotional & Spiritual Diet
A quote from TinyBuddha on Pinterest reads, “Your diet is not only what you eat. It’s what you watch, what you listen to, what you read, and the people you hang around. Be mindful of the things you put into your body emotionally, spiritually, and physically.” We often associate diets with getting our body fit; however, it is equally essential to ensure that you do an inner emotional, mental, and spiritual detox to get your inner-being fit.
Are you overwhelmed with your emails, negative news, social media notifications, constantly maintaining an “image” online, and feeling this persistent empty feeling and void that no external stimulation can fix? Then, it’s time to dig below the surface and get right within. Developing better habits begins with evaluating your present behaviors and recognizing their influence on your day-to-day life.
Mental Detox
- Mental health is a favorable perception of how we feel, think, and act. Therefore, nourishment should not be confined to just our bodies but also our minds; for this, we need a well-conceived mental diet plan. Choose a period of 30 days and mark it on your calendar with the idea of going 30 days in a row to keep your thoughts positive and intentionally concentrating on becoming an observer of your thoughts. Don’t judge them. Don’t attach. Simply observe and release. New York Times bestselling author Michael Singer of The Untethered Soul describes it best “the day you decide that you are more interested in being aware of your thoughts than you are in the thoughts themselves, that is the day you will find your way out.”
Emotional Detox
- The purpose of emotional detox is not to purge the body of what you may perceive as unpleasant emotions but rather to release those that have become stagnant. Emotions are one of the best things about being alive. They let us feel the full range of what it means to be alive. When we have a healthy relationship with our feelings, we can enjoy what each one, from sadness to happiness, has to offer. If you tend to overreact to things or pull away from people, you might want to try an emotional cleanse. Like any other detox, it’s ineffective if you don’t replace toxins with nourishing foods. Once you’ve processed your negative feelings, load up on the wonderful stuff. Do, watch, listen, and talk about things that make you joyful. Gratitude journal, dance to a cheerful tune while cooking, practice compassion and laugh with friends. Find the good in negative memories and enjoy wonderful times. Happiness is a skill, not a result or condition. Let your internal emotional guidance system lead the way. If you begin to feel negative emotions, acknowledge it as a reminder to pivot the other way. Positivity is key.
Spiritual Detox
- A Consciousness Cleanse (Spiritual Detox) purifies your inner environment. It’s vital to weed and tend to the soil of your psyche, clean it out, and stabilize it so it can develop; you can get in touch with your higher self. Try a 24-hour spiritual detox. You make a commitment to yourself at the beginning of a twenty-four-hour detox to refrain from allowing anything into your system — your body, your mind, or your heart — that is not of the highest spiritual vibration. This includes food, drinks, thoughts, and emotions. Declare a spiritual detox day as a way to get things rolling. This could be a day of prayer, introspection, refueling, or sustenance; it could be a day of Sabbath; it’s a day to clean the field of your inner world. Make sure the people in your life are aware that you will be taking a personal spiritual detox day by notifying them in advance of your plans. Leave an outgoing message on your voice mail letting people know that you are unable to speak with them at this time but that they are welcome to leave you a message. Inform your loved ones, your coworkers, and anybody else who communicates with you that all of their messages must reach you before midnight on the day of your cleanse. Get in touch with your higher power and your higher self.
Hack #4: Exercise
You may say, “I’m too busy or stressed to exercise.” However, the very thing you’re avoiding can be an excellent source of stress release. Exercise lowers adrenaline and cortisol levels. It boosts the brain’s natural painkillers and mood boosters, endorphins. Endorphins are responsible for the “runner’s high” and the emotions of relaxation and optimism after strenuous exercises. People who work out tend to feel better about themselves and less anxious. Try kickboxing, Zumba, or other high-energy activities like running or spinning. When your body feels good, your mind usually feels good too. Before starting high-intensity workouts, consult your doctor.
Hack #5: Give Nootropics a try
If exercise, therapy, and meditation don’t feel like enough to combat your stress, it may be time to take things to the next level. All of these practices are healthy, but if they’re not enough, you may want to add a mood stabilizer.
You may be wondering what is nootropics and what they can do for my stress? Nootropics, also known as “smart drugs” or “mood enhancers,” are a family of supplements that can enhance cognitive function; simply put—it tackles mood issues, which primarily can be the root cause of anxiety, sadness, and stress. The term “nootropic” derives from the Greek for “to mold or bend the mind.” In today’s society, more and more individuals are relying on nootropics to enhance their cognitive powers and energy. Have you ever met someone who appeared to have it all together, focused, upbeat, and always perky? Yes, it could be natural, yet people often take supplements to support their pursuit of happiness and enhance their day-to-day lives, unbeknownst to you.
Nootropics May Offer Stress Relief
Nootropics for stress offer many avenues to relaxation that may reduce tension while enhancing cognitive performance. Many of the top entrepreneurs and leaders running the most innovative, cutting-edge start-ups are utilizing nootropics to biohack their way to success, accomplish more, and reach their objectives more quickly. Like Popeyes used spinach as his strength superpower, so can you with nootropics. If you’re feeling stressed, give L-Theanine a try. This nootropic helps people relax and sleep better by causing the brain to change in a number of beneficial ways.
Life can be challenging, but with the will to survive and deliberate action steps to improve your situation, life can be blissful. We challenge you for the next 30 days to try the hacks from our list and watch your life change for the best. Remember to take what resonates and leave the rest. You are unique, and so is your beautiful journey.
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/stress/index.shtml
Disclaimer
Important Note:
This article does not contain health or medical advice, and the information contained herein is not intended to diagnose, prevent, treat or cure any disease, condition or health problem. Before beginning any program of diet, nutrition or supplementation, seek the advice of a competent healthcare professional in order to determine the possible effects on your health, given your individual sensitivities, needs and objectives.
