Drink 2-3 Litres of Water a Day
A basic rule that we have been taught since we were in kindy yet it is one that we actively ignore. When our bodies are dehydrated we get stressed and it is the same vice versa. During times of stress we can easily forget to eat and drink enough to hydrate.
Meditate
When first understanding what meditation was, I genuinely believed it was something that only hippies or monks do. As a teenager I believed that meditation was complete crap that was used as an excuse to feel better than other people. However as an adult I realise that I was completely wrong. Meditation can be as simple as breathing with intention or repeating a word over and again. It is a relaxed state of being that can allow you to focus and be calm. So, go give it a try and see if you feel it’s anti-stress effects.
Eat healthy foods
When you’re stressed it is easy to eat either nothing or everything in the cupboard, however it isn’t great for you. Eating a healthy diet helps to reduce the negative effects of stress on your body. If you’re stressed, eat a few veggies and treat yourself to a bit of dark chocolate from time to time. It’s really that simple!
Write in a gratitude journal
I was one of those kids who would always attempt to write in a diary but after one go completely forgot about it. As a natural pessimist, I often struggle to find the positive in tough situations. Since COVID hit, one of the things you’ll regularly hear me say is “2020 is a write off”. After using a gratitude journal I have found that I am more positive, less anxious and that no matter how bad the day was, there is always going to be something good in it.
Get 30 minutes of exercise a day
Yes, we are all aware that exercise is good for us because of the endorphins that it provides. However, did you know that it also reduces cortisol. Cortisol is the body's stress hormone and by putting your body under a bit of stress you actually relieve stress that the mind is under. People who exercise regularly are less likely to experience anxiety than those who don’t exercise at all. Exercise can be as simple as going for a walk, mowing the lawns or dancing when no one is watching. So next time you are incredibly stressed, go and move all that cortisol out of your body!