Stress is a natural part of life, and it may help you get things done. Even severe stress caused by a serious disease, job loss, a family tragedy, or a traumatic life event can be a normal part of life. For a while, you may feel down or anxious, which is normal.
However, if you feel down or anxious for more than a few weeks, or if it starts to interfere with your home or work life, talk to your doctor.
1. Exercise
To start with, physical activity can assist enhance your sleep. Improved sleep also translates to better stress management. Doctors aren’t sure why, but people who exercise more get better deep “slow-wave” sleep, which helps the brain and body replenish themselves. Just be careful not to exercise too close to bedtime, as this can cause sleep disruption in some people.
2. Diet
Eating healthy foods has mental health benefits in addition to physical ones. A nutritious diet can help you manage stress, strengthen your immune system, improve your mood, and lower your blood pressure. Adding a lot of sugar and fat to your diet can have the opposite impact. When you’re under a lot of stress, junk food can seem even more attractive.
3. Sleep
You may find it difficult to fall asleep as a result of stress. If this occurs three times each week for at least three months, you may be suffering from insomnia, or the inability to fall and stay asleep. Sleep deprivation can exacerbate stress and lead to a vicious cycle of anxiety and insomnia.
4. Inhale deeply.
You activate your body’s inherent ability to relax when you practice deep breathing. This induces a profound level of relaxation, which can alter how your body reacts to stress. It increases the amount of oxygen sent to your brain and relaxes the component of your neurological system responsible for relaxation.
