Is stress making you angry and grouchy? Stress relievers can help bring back calm and peace to your busy life. You don't have to put a lot of time or thought into stress relievers. If your stress is getting out of control and you need quick relief, try one of these tips.

To deal effectively with stress, you need to think about your physical health, the way you interact with others, and your goals and priorities in life​—that is, what you consider to be truly important. This article will review some practical principles that can help you to deal better with stress and perhaps even reduce it.

Tips to tame stress

· GET ACTIVE

Any physical activity can help relieve stress, even if you're not in great shape. Exercise boosts feel-good chemicals in your brain, improves your mood, and shifts your focus away from daily stress. So, go for a walk, jog, garden, clean, bike, swim, or do anything that gets you moving.

· EAT A HEALTHY DIET

Eat a healthy diet by including a variety of nutrient-rich foods. Focus on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. A balanced diet provides the vitamins and minerals your body needs to function well, boosts energy, supports your immune system, and helps manage stress. Avoid processed foods, excess sugar, and unhealthy fats, as they can negatively impact your mood and overall health. Remember, eating well nourishes both your body and mind.

· AVOID UNHEALTHY HABITS

Avoid unhealthy habits that can negatively affect your physical and mental well-being. These habits might seem to offer temporary relief but can cause long-term harm. Common unhealthy habits to avoid include:

1. Smoking: Though it may feel relaxing, smoking harms nearly every organ in the body, increasing the risk of serious diseases and reducing overall health.

2. Excessive alcohol consumption: Drinking too much can lead to poor decision-making, disrupt sleep, and increase anxiety and depression over time.

3. Overeating or unhealthy eating: Emotional eating, binge eating, or relying on junk food can cause weight gain, low energy, and health problems, leading to increased stress.

4. Caffeine and sugar overuse: Too much caffeine or sugar can lead to energy crashes, anxiety, and disrupted sleep patterns.

5. Procrastination: Putting things off can build stress and anxiety. Developing good habits like time management can help reduce the temptation to procrastinate.

6. Neglecting rest and relaxation: Ignoring the need for regular breaks or sleep can lead to burnout, irritability, and poor mental focus.

· MEDITATE

Meditation is a simple practice that helps reduce stress and bring inner calm. It improves focus, emotional balance, and self-awareness. By meditating regularly, you can better handle stress, improve sleep, and feel more at peace.

There are different ways to meditate, such as:

· Mindfulness: Focus on your breathing and stay present in the moment.

· Guided Meditation: Listen to someone guide you through relaxing images or thoughts.

· Mantra: Repeat a calming word or phrase to stay focused.

· Loving-kindness: Practice sending feelings of kindness and compassion to yourself and others.

· LAUGH MORE

Having a good sense of humor won't solve all your problems, but it can improve your mood, even if you have to fake a laugh at first. Laughing lightens your mental burden and triggers positive physical changes in your body. It activates and then calms your stress response.

So, read jokes, share some laughs, watch a comedy, or spend time with your funny friends. You might also consider trying laughter yoga.

· CONNECT WITH OTHERS

When you’re feeling stressed and irritable, you might want to withdraw, but it’s better to reach out to family and friends. Just one supportive friend can make a difference.

Social connections are great for relieving stress. They provide distraction, support, and help you cope with life’s ups and downs. Consider having coffee with a friend, emailing a family member, or visiting your place of worship.

If you have more time, think about volunteering for a charity. It’s a great way to help others while also helping yourself.

· ASSERT YOURSELF

You may want to do everything, but that isn’t always possible without consequences. Learning to say no or delegate tasks can help you manage your to-do list and reduce stress. Setting healthy boundaries is crucial for your well-being, as everyone has physical and emotional limits.

Saying yes may seem easier for keeping the peace or getting things done, but it can lead to inner conflict when your needs come last. Putting yourself second can cause stress, anger, and resentment, which disrupts your peace. Remember, taking care of yourself should be a priority.

· TRY YOGA

With its series of postures and breathing exercises, yoga is a popular stress reliever. Yoga brings together physical and mental disciplines that may help you reach peace of body and mind. Yoga can help you relax and ease stress and anxiety.

Try yoga on your own or find a class — you can find classes in many areas. Hatha yoga, especially, is a good stress reliever because of its slower pace and easier movements.

· GET ENOUGH SLEEP

Stress can lead to difficulties falling asleep. When you have a lot on your mind and numerous tasks to complete, your sleep may be negatively impacted. However, sleep is essential for your brain and body to recharge. Most adults require about 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night.

The quality and duration of your sleep can significantly influence your mood, energy, concentration, and overall functioning. If you experience sleep issues, establish a calming bedtime routine. This could include listening to relaxing music, ensuring your sleep environment is cool, dark, and quiet, putting away electronic devices, and maintaining a consistent sleep schedule.

· KEEP A JOURNAL

Journaling your thoughts and feelings can be an effective way to release pent-up emotions. Don’t worry about what to write—just let it flow. Write whatever comes to mind without concern for grammar or spelling.

Allow your thoughts to spill onto paper or a screen. When you're finished, you can either discard what you've written or keep it for later reflection.

· GET MUSICAL AND BE CREATIVE

Listening to or playing music is a great way to relieve stress. It can distract your mind, reduce muscle tension, and lower stress hormones. Just turn up the volume and immerse yourself in the music.

If music isn’t your thing, focus on a hobby you enjoy, like gardening, sewing, reading, or sketching. Choose activities that help you concentrate on what you're doing instead of stressing about what you feel you should be doing.

· SEEK COUNSELING

If you're struggling to cope with new stressors or self-care methods aren’t helping, it might be time to consider seeking professional support. Therapy could be beneficial if you feel overwhelmed or stuck. It’s also worth exploring if you find yourself excessively worrying or having difficulty managing daily tasks and responsibilities at work, home, or school.

Trained counselors or therapists can assist you in identifying the root causes of your stress and equip you with effective coping strategies.

Reference:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress-relievers/art-20047257

https://www.jw.org/en/library/magazines/awake-no1-2020-mar-apr/how-to-deal-with-stress/

https://www.ourbetterworld.org/series/mental-health/support-toolkit/anxiety-schizophrenia-mental-health-conditions-explained?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw9eO3BhBNEiwAoc0-jdQBo8ZQbsAw_4n8iUEmLq_Cz8IUu6DUB-jvXzkrf1GGtLQb47-QjRoCZokQAvD_BwE