Chronic stress is not something that needs to be taken lightly. In fact, it’s a lot more serious than you think. Chronic stress, if left untreated, can turn into major depressive disorder. Not to mention, major depressive disorder is among the top causes of suicides around the world.
Thus, if you happen to have persistent stress, you need to act right away or it can turn into a severe disorder. Alright, let me introduce you to some effective ways to treat chronic stress and that too, naturally.
However, before we proceed to the treatment options, let’s have a look at the common symptoms of chronic stress:
- Persistent sadness and hopelessness
- Frequently anxiety and restlessness
- Recurring body aches and fatigue
- Loss of appetite or binge eating
- Insomnia or hypersomnia
- Withdrawal from friends and family
- Suicidal thoughts or possible attempts
Now that you know the symptoms of chronic stress, in case you ever experience any of them for two weeks or more, here’s what you need to do:
Regular Exercise
First and foremost, you need to change your everyday routine and become more active. One way to do that is by adding exercise to your day-to-day routine. Regular exercise will pump your endorphin levels, decreasing fatigue and uplifting mood.
The best part is that you don’t need to follow a particular exercise routine for this. A few minutes of walk or half an hour of the swim would suffice. Yoga is also a great alternative if you like body stretching and feel comfortable doing it.
Meditation
The second thing is meditation, another great remedy for stress reduction. It’s a renowned healing method that can effectively promote your mental, physical, and spiritual health. To be precise, I suggest you practice mindfulness-based meditation.
Mindfulness-based meditation is particularly great to eliminate stress and anxiety from your life. You can combine it with yoga, too. That’s right, guys. Practicing mindfulness with yoga is equally effective. In fact, there’s no better combination.
Journal Writing
Before you call it a day, please don’t forget to write about your day in your diary or journal. Writing down your thoughts and worries will take the pressure off your head, which will naturally alleviate stress and anxiety.
Also, it’s better than talking to a friend or family member. A lot of people feel reluctant to share their emotions with others due to the fear of being judged. Well, there’s nothing to worry about when writing everything in your diary as it won’t judge you. Hence, another point is checked.
Herbs and Plants
Another thing that needs to be a part of your day-to-day routine is herbs and plants like chamomile, passionflower, pes Hawaiian mushrooms, and ashwagandha. These herbs are loaded with natural healing properties and it’s precisely why they work well for stress reduction.
Although there are various allopathic medicines that are quite effective for stress reduction, they have plenty of side effects. Therefore, it’s recommended to take the natural route. It’s one way you can reduce your stress naturally and effortlessly.
No Caffeine
Apart from the above-mentioned additions, there are several other things that can help reduce stress. One important thing is to regulate your diet. The perfect way to do that is by reducing your caffeine intake.
Caffeine is a stimulant that can significantly add to your stress and anxiety levels, causing more discomfort than you can imagine. Thus, you need to decrease your daily caffeine intake by reducing the cups of coffee or tea you take on a daily basis.
Appropriate Sleep
While you may not realize it, lack of sleep is one of the reasons behind persistent stress. Many people tend to compromise their sleep for everyday life chores. It is something that puts a strain on their mental health.
If you’re one of such people, you need to change the habit right away before sleep deprivation takes a serious toll on your mental health. Make sure to sleep at least 7-8 hours a day so that you can function normally in your day-to-day life and your mind can have its resting time.
Body Massage
Ranking seventh is body massage. It’s another incredible remedy for stress reduction. No matter how severe your issue is, you can always rely on a body massage session to alleviate everyday life stress and anxiety.
A few minutes of body massage can relax your mind and body at the same time. Therefore, it’s not only effective for physical tension but mental exhaustion as well. All you need to do is go for a body massage once or twice a day.
If you have a spa close by, you’re all set to go. In case it isn’t an option for you, you can purchase a massage chair for your home. Chair massage therapy is as beneficial as human-administered massage, so it’s a considerable option.
A New Hobby
Last but not least, diverting your attention from things that stress you is the key. For this, what you need to do is find a new hobby and get out of your old, monotonous routine. There’s no specific activity that you need to practice. From painting to bowling, you can do whatever you enjoy.
Simply take out a few minutes from your boring routine and devote that time to relish your favorite activity. It will not only help you enjoy your day but will also provide you with a sense of achievement at the end. Thus, you need to find a new hobby right away.
The Takeaway
Winding it up, I want you to know that stress is the natural response of the human mind to worrisome and fearful situations. It isn’t something out of the blue. It’s the same for everyone out there. So follow the tips and tricks mentioned above and keep chronic stress at bay before it takes a toll on you. I wish you good luck, my pals.
