Stress Management

Hi there! How are you? Are you enjoying this beautiful hot weather? Summer is just around the corner, and so are the final exams.  I have already talked about how stressful exams can be. Today, I want to share with you some tips on how to cope with stress.

Get More Sleep

We all know that sleeping well is very important. If I don’t sleep well, I’m like a zombie all day. Apart from that, sleep deprivation puts me in a bad mood. Stress makes the things worse. Not being able to sleep because you are thinking of all the problems is quite frustrating. It is scientifically proven that by improving your sleep, you can help your stress levels.

Avoid Caffeine, Alcohol, and Nicotine.

Caffeine is well-known for blocking sleep-inducing chemicals in the brain. According to the national sleep foundation, “Once in the body, caffeine will persist for several hours: it takes about 6 hours for one half of the caffeine to be eliminated.” We all know that caffeine can cause insomnia and sometimes headaches. Now, add alcohol, nicotine and stress to the equation, and we have the formula for disaster. 

Get some fresh air

When we are overwhelmed by our problems, the best way to cope with this is a long walk. Walking can boost your immune system, and this is great for you. Ather Ali, assistant director of Complementary Medicine Research at the Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center says: “Exercise leads to an increase in natural killer cells, neutrophils and monocytes, which ultimately increases immune function.” Did you know that stop and smell the roses can actually help? Flowers like lavender and jasmine can low anxiety. So, the next time you are feeling stressed out, go for a walk and get some fresh air.

Try Relaxation Techniques

If you write “relaxation techniques” on your computer, you will probably find different things.  Here I am going to talk about the one I use when I feel stressed. Meditation is the best way to disconnect with our reality. You just have to sit on the floor, close your eyes and repeat a positive mantra. It sounds corny, but it actually helps. Breathing is very important when you meditate.  Psychologist Judith Tutin, PhD, says, “Deep breathing counters the effects of stress by slowing the heart rate and lowering blood pressure.”  Laughing is another way to relax. Laughing lowers cortisol, your body’s stress hormone, and boosts endorphins, which help your mood. So, watch your favourite comedy show and relax a bit.

Talk to Someone

Sometimes by just talking to our best friends or a family member, we can change our mood. Stress is something we all suffer, so talking about what is happening will help to at least let it all out. Probably, the other person can help you by giving a piece of advice or just support. Just by externalising the problem you will feel less isolated. I think that sometimes having someone you can talk, and trust, is a good way to go through this life.

Interacting with animals

I know about this! Animals have a healing power. I think that’s the reason why I love them so much. Just by playing with your pet you can lower your stress. According to the Animal smart organization, in 2001 researchers found that pet-owning patients with high blood pressure could keep their blood pressure lower during times of mental stress than patients without pets. Dogs are especially great at making you feel good. In my life, I had only had one dog. His name was Alexis Denisof Lex Luthor Dean Winchester, and he lived more than fifteen years with us. The funny thing is that when he came to my life, I wasn’t looking for a pet. My brother found Lex and five of his brothers in a box in the street. I found families for all the puppies. Nobody wanted Lex because he was sick all the time. So, I decided to take care of him. Two years ago he was diagnosed with cancer, and at the beginning of this year he passed away. He was the best dog ever, and I missed him so much. So, I know that it’s true the healing power these animals have. I strongly believe that caring for a pet helps not only with stress but also with anxiety and depression.

Studies have found that:

• Playing with a dog or cat can elevate levels of serotonin and dopamine, which calm and relax.
• People with dogs have lower blood pressure in stressful situations than those without pets. One study even found that when people with borderline hypertension adopted dogs from a shelter, their blood pressure declined significantly within five months.
• Pet owners have lower triglyceride and cholesterol levels (indicators of heart disease) than those without pets.

Lex and Peeta

There are many other ways to cope with stress. Stress is part of our life, but we have to remember that we are in control.

Have a great week! See you ;)

Links: 

https://www.skillsyouneed.com/ps/stress-tips.html

http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20765943,00.html