We live in a paradoxical world.
On the one hand, we’ve arguably never had it so good. Smartphones, the convenience of the internet, and the other staples of modern life have helped to elevate living standards. If you could show our lifestyles to the people of the medieval period, they’d think we lived significantly better than their Kings and Queens.
On the other hand, those benefits have come at a cost. Stress levels, for instance, have never been higher. In one study, it was found that 74% of people had felt so stressed in the preceding twelve months that they’d felt overwhelmed or unable to cope.
Many of the reasons why we may feel stressed are beyond our control, but that doesn’t mean that we have to simply accept that we’ll have high stress levels. As we’ll come to see in this blog, there are many everyday habits we can build into our routines that can help to keep our stress levels under control.
Stress-Free Mornings
They say you should start as you mean to go on. While it’s not guaranteed, having a calm, relaxing, and stress-free start of the day makes it much more likely that you’ll have a smooth day. On the other hand, having a chaotic, rushed beginning increases the chances that you’ll always be one step behind.
So, what does a stress-free morning look like? Getting up early so that you have plenty of time, eating a nutritious breakfast, drinking plenty of water, and engaging in a good-for-you activity, such as meditation, can help set you up for a stress-free day.
Daily Exercise
Exercise can do wonders for keeping stress levels in check. It’s excellent for both lowering your body’s stress hormones (like cortisol) and elevating your body’s mood-boosting endorphins (like endorphins). That’s a one-two combo that can have a dramatically positive impact on your stress levels, and what’s more, you don’t necessarily need to spend multiple hours in the gym to get those benefits. Even a 20-minute jog or rigorous cycling session can have a positive impact.
Plus, regular exercise can provide a host of additional benefits that can have an indirect impact on your stress levels, such as providing an energy boost (great for completing all your responsibilities), making it easier to fall asleep (great for emotional regulation), and boosting your overall health (great for reducing health-related stress).
Everyday Calming Products
It’s true that you are what you do, but it’s also true that you are what you consume, at least it is when it comes to stress levels. Some products have been known to lower cortisol levels, while others, such as caffeine, have been known to cause spikes. Even products that seem calming, such as alcohol, can have a subtly negative impact on our emotional and mental well-being.
You really can guide yourself to a calmer, more emotionally balanced state simply by choosing to consume the products that push you in that direction. Magnesium glycinate, ashwagandha, and CBD products have all been shown to have a positive impact on stress levels, resulting in enhanced relaxation, especially CBD products, which have ballooned in popularity in recent years. Additionally, healthy foods, such as dark leafy greens and fatty fish, have also been shown to support lower stress levels on a long-term basis, while fast food and processed foods are known for keeping them elevated.
Meditation and Breathwork
Meditation and breathwork can be outstanding for improving stress levels, particularly breathwork, which can have a virtually immediate impact.
They’re also extremely easy to do. No special equipment is required, and once you’ve got the basics, you’ll find that you can practice them essentially wherever you are.
Limiting Technology
Your smartphone is brilliant, but it’s not necessarily relaxing. Continuous content can keep your brain in an always-on state, which makes it difficult for the body to enter the relaxed state in which stress levels can begin to lower. Studies have found links between excessive screen time and increased anxiety in adults, and it can also have an indirect impact by limiting the amount of time available for stress-busting activities.
Undertaking a digital detox, in which you intentionally limit the amount of time you spend looking at your device, can provide the break your body and mind need to lower tech-related cortisol spikes. Even avoiding the internet for a few days (outside of work requirements) can begin to have a positive impact, and especially so if you replace your screen time with activities that are good for you, such as spending time in nature.
