10 ways to de-stress

There are a lot of things that cause stress to us – whether it is from the constant traffic in Lagos or whatever city you are, an unhappy marriage, heavy workload or just an unhappy situation, stress eventually leads to a physical effect on the body and has been linked to a wide range of health issues.

The good news is that you can take action concerning stress. You can learn to move through it rather than allowing it to stop you by trying out a couple of the things listed below.

1. Identify your stress triggers.

First things first, what exactly stresses you out? Do you know exactly what triggers this reaction? How do you react to it,?

2. Stay positive.

3. Laughter has been found to lower levels of stress hormones, reduce inflammation in the arteries, and increase “good” HDL cholesterol.

4. Meditate.

This practice of inward-focused thought and deep breathing has been shown to reduce heart disease risk factors such as high blood pressure.

5. Exercise.

Every time you are physically active, whether you take a walk or play tennis, your body releases mood-boosting chemicals called endorphins. Exercising not only melts away stress, but it also protects against heart disease by lowering your blood pressure, strengthening your heart muscle, and helping you maintain a healthy weight.

6. Get enough sleep.

7. Hug Someone

8. Breathe

9. Get out of town, Go on a vacation or a getaway.

10. Unplug.

It’s impossible to escape stress when it follows you everywhere. Cut the cord. Avoid emails and TV news. Take time each day — even if it’s for just 10 or 15 minutes — to escape from the world.

Find ways to take the edge off your stress. Simple things, like a warm bath, listening to music, or spending time on a favourite hobby, can give you a much-needed break from the stressors in your life.
Have I left anything out? If so, let me know how you de-stress?