Over time, stress wears you down physically and mentally. Routines, however, help us take back control. Keep reading for activities to help you combat stress and anxiety for a healthier state of mind.
It doesn’t matter how big or small your stress and anxiety are, they can still lower your quality of life and impact your overall wellness. That’s why it’s so important to develop a routine designed to help you reduce stress and anxiety. If routines are just not your thing, that’s fine! It’s still good to have tools that help you in times of high stress.
That’s why we’ve put together a few activities you can pick and choose from. You’re allowed to design your own life, so choose activities that work best for you. Plus, there’s something for everyone. From being more active, dealing with isolation, or even just remembering to take your supplements.
Basically, we’re giving you permission to look at your life and decide where you could use a little less stress and a little more “you” time. Read on to discover a few activities that may help you destress and regain control.
Physical and Mental Health Are Impacted by Stress & Anxiety
It’s so easy to brush off feelings of stress and anxiety. The world is a pretty stressful place, so it’s natural to feel overwhelmed sometimes. That’s because stress and anxiety are, surprisingly, natural.
They have to do with our innate fight-or-flight response which kept early humans alive when they were dealing with harsher environments. Things may be less life-threatening today, but our nervous system can’t always tell the difference. So, when it detects a “threat,” it releases a series of chemicals that prepare your body for fight or flight.
When this happens you may notice increased heart rate, dry mouth, sweating, faster breathing, and more. When the threat passes, those chemical responses should diminish and you should start to feel normal again, but that’s not always the case.
When you’re constantly stressed and anxious, it can cause a whole host of problems. Over time, those dealing with chronic stress and anxiety may experience weight fluctuations, chest pain, appetite fluctuations, nausea, digestive issues, weakened immune responses, headaches, sleep issues, and more.
And that’s not even taking into consideration the mental and emotional toll that stress and anxiety can have on you. You may notice more negative and irritable moods, lack of productivity, and even relationship issues. Chronic stress and anxiety can even increase your risk of depression.
6 Daily Activities to Help Reduce Stress and Anxiety
If you didn’t grasp this from the previous section, chronic stress and anxiety can have some pretty nasty effects on your body and mind. Luckily, one of the best ways to combat them is by having a routine. If you just cannot stick to a routine, then just keep these activities in your back pocket for when you start to feel overwhelmed.
Be Physically Active
You don’t have to go hiking in the mountains or run a marathon (although if you do, that’s amazing). Sometimes something as simple as doing yoga or going for a walk can help you work through anxiety.
One of the chemicals that gets released in times of stress is adrenaline. This hormone increases heart rate, blood pressure, and basically gets you amped up. So, trying to sit down and be calm with all that coursing through your veins can seem pretty impossible.
That’s why sometimes it’s best to just lean into those feelings! Use that extra energy and get your body moving. According to the Mayo Clinic, a ten-minute walk may relieve symptoms of anxiety for several hours. So, whether you stick to a regular workout routine or simply take a walk when stressed, physical activity is definitely a go-to stress reliever.
Plus, if your physical activity involves being outside, you’ll get a few more perks as well.
Spend Time in Nature
In times of stress, we often find ourselves saying or thinking, “I need some fresh air.” While we may be using that phrase metaphorically, sometimes fresh air is literally what we need!
In the 80s, a practice called “Forest Bathing” became popular. Basically, it’s the act of spending time in nature to help promote mindfulness and wellness. Now, more than ever, we’re spending the majority of our time indoors. A 2001 EPA survey even found that Americans spend almost 90% of their time inside. But what is it about nature that’s so good for us?
Aside from Vitamin D we get from sunlight, when you take a walk in nature you’re actually being exposed to the terpenes present in the natural world. Terpenes are natural hydrocarbons present in most plants that make up aromas and flavors. Not only that, but some terpenes are also able to temporarily elevate your mood and act as anxiolytics.
Several studies have shown that forest bathing can have positive influences on mental and physical wellness by improving parasympathetic nervous activity and lowering cortisol levels and pulse rates. So, the next time you feel anxiety taking over, consider taking a long, quiet walk in the woods to calm your mind and elevate your mood.
Connect with Friends and Family
For a wide variety of reasons, we often feel alone. Maybe you’re practicing social distancing, you’re a new parent, dealing with an injury or illness, etc. Regardless of why you feel alone, feelings of isolation can lead to increased stress, anxiety, and depression. That’s why regularly reaching out to friends and family is so important!
We’re social creatures, and socializing is in our nature. There’s nothing wrong with needing some connection. Something as simple as sending a text message can help you feel like you’re not so alone. If that doesn’t cut it, then ramp it up to a phone call, video call, or even tackle several things at once from this list by taking a walk in nature with a friend.
Not only is this good for your mental health, you never know when someone you love may be longing for connection as well.
Dedicate Time to a Hobby
There seems to be this notion that if you’re not amazing at something, that it’s not worthwhile. But what if you just genuinely enjoy something? Maybe you’re not the best singer in the world, but participating in your community choir is the highlight of your week. Perhaps your sculptures always come out lumpy, but that ceramics class helps you wind down after a stressful day.
Participating in activities for the sake of pure enjoyment is fulfilling in so many ways. Plus, there’s even research showing how those who engage in hobbies are less likely to develop anxiety, depression, stress, and negative moods.
Get Plenty of Vitamins and Minerals
Everyone is probably tired of hearing about how nutrition can impact your overall health and wellness, but that doesn’t mean it’s not true! For the most part, our bodies get their vitamins and minerals from the food we eat. So, if you’re not eating a variety of fruits and vegetables, you may not be getting everything you need.
According to The Neuroscience Center, Vitamin B deficiencies are linked to irritability, anxiety, depression, and low moods. Zinc and Iron deficiencies can lead to mental health issues. If dietary restrictions make it hard for you to get the necessary vitamins and minerals, using a high-quality supplement can help you fill those nutritional gaps.
And speaking of supplements…
Start a CBD Regimen to Reduce Stress and Anxiety
One of the main reasons people use CBD (cannabidiol) is for its anxiolytic properties. CBD may help combat anxiety in several ways: boosting GABA levels, lessening pain, improved sleep, and more. For more details about all the different ways CBD can help reduce stress and anxiety, click here.
If stress just gets you down every once in a while, you may be able to get away with using CBD as needed. However, if you notice that you’re regularly fighting anxiety and panic attacks, a CBD regimen that you stick to every day will be the most helpful. Once you find the right CBD strength and figure out when is the best time for you to take CBD, you’ll notice how much easier it is to deal with things that used to trigger your anxiety.
Disclaimer: We want to take a moment and remind everyone that while CBD is considered a safe and mild supplement, you should always talk with your doctor before adding CBD into your regimen. While side-effects are rare and usually mild, it’s better to err on the side of caution. This goes double for anyone taking any prescriptions, as CBD can interact with some medications.
Don’t Let Stress and Anxiety Rule Your Life
Whether you found all of these activities helpful or just one or two, we hope that you’re able to develop some practices that help you handle the everyday stresses of your life. There will always be things to be stressed about, so finding the right tools is pivotal to working through them.
We want to provide you with the tools and knowledge to live your best life. That might not look the same for everyone, and that’s ok! Check out our Premium CBD Bundle options and stock up on all your favorites today.