Top 10 Tips To De-stress
Your physical and mental wellbeing is very important and influences every part of your life. This includes your experiences in the workplace and personal life. It’s valuable to tune in with your mind and body and know what works best for you in helping reduce those feelings of anxiety and stress whilst promoting a positive and happy outlook in the process.
Make your personal wellbeing your top priority - here are 10 helpful tips to de-stress:
Focus on your breathing
Focusing on your breathing is one of the top tips to de-stress as it helps calm your body and brain. There are several good slow deep breathing exercises out there to help you relax in times of stress. The key is to concentrate on inhaling and exhaling. The square breathing technique is an easy breathing exercise to remember where you breathe in for a count of four, hold for a count of four, breathe out for a count of four and hold again for a count of four.
Practice Meditation
To practice meditation means to go into a deep state of relaxation that helps you keep in the present as well as calming the mind. It’s a popular way to support mental wellbeing and de-stress, as practicing meditation allows you focus on your breathing and be mindful of your thoughts but not react to them. Here’s how practicing mindfulness can be asset in your workplace.
Go for a walk outside
As little as a 10-minute walk can do wonders to help your personal wellbeing. A change of scenery and some fresh air will help you to clear your head as well as boost endorphins. This tip is not only great for your physical wellbeing but your mental wellbeing as well!
Stay positive by developing positive visualisation
Go to your happy place! Picturing a peaceful environment can do wonders to get you feeling less stressed and anxious. Using a recording and closing your eyes can help you with your guided imagery and ultimately help you de-stress.
Unplug and take your eyes off digital screens
Nowadays, it’s difficult not use technology all the time (and sometimes excessively), which can contribute to feelings of anxiety and stress, and therefore negatively affecting personal welling. It can disconnect us from the real world, and it can also impacts our physical wellbeing too. Give your mini digital detoxes every day by regularly stepping away from your digital devices. Instead, use this as an opportunity to practice other tips to de-stress during the day. It’s also recommended to not look at any screens at least an hour before you go to sleep, limiting the screen’s physical stress on your eyes.
Listen to music
Whilst listening to upbeat music can help you feel more optimistic, soothing music such as slow classical music can help you relax by slowing the heart rate and lowering stress hormone levels. However, you’re not limited to this – listening to your favourite music will help increase levels of dopamine, otherwise known as the ‘feel-good’ hormone.
Change your perspective by shifting your language and looking at things in a different light
Speaking to yourself in a kinder and more optimistic way. Removing negative self-criticism plays a big part in developing strong mental wellbeing. Self-belief and optimism is integral to success and it can help you get through temporary stressful situations. Also, expressing gratitude helps you see and appreciate what you’re thankful for in your life.
Write it down
Write and express your feelings in a journal. It acts as an escape as it helps to clarify feelings and release any negative thoughts that is impacting your mental wellbeing. Journaling also improves personal wellbeing and overall physical health as it’s known to help reduce symptoms of pain in chronic illnesses and asthma.
Laugh if off
As they say, laughter is the best medicine and it certainly helps you de-stress too! Not only does laughing improve your mood by reducing the stress hormones and boosting endorphins, it’s good for your physical wellbeing too. This is because laughing lowers your blood pressure and stimulates your lungs, muscles and heart.
Treat yourself!
Self-care plays a big role in improving personal wellbeing. Don’t deprive yourself of things that make you feel happy or good about yourself. Give yourself a sweet treat (within the recommended limit) or watch an episode of your favourite TV show when you feel stress building up. Give yourself some well needed ‘me time’ and treat yourself to a massage, a spa treatment, facial or manicure to help you relax and revitalise yourself.