6 Ways To Protect Yourself From Stress

Everyone experiences stress at a different point in their lives and most of us deal with it on a daily basis. Sometimes, the normal stress goes above and beyond and becomes a worry and anxiety which can be harmful to your health. Harmful stress occurs when we experience fear, muscle tension, and an inner critic saying “I can’t do this”, which makes it very different from healthy or normal stress that makes you feel pumped and energized. 

Let’s talk about how you can cope with anxiety and stress

1. Eat Healthy 

Eating healthy and filling your diet with vegetables and healthy proteins can help you reduce stress even before it comes. The amino acids in proteins like turkey help fight the adrenaline and cortisol by producing serotonin. Fish such as salmon has anti-inflammatory properties that can help counteract the negative side effects of stress hormones. Also, chocolate that contains about 70% of cocoa can help lower blood pressure and improve circulation and reduce cortisol.

2. Cut Down On Drinking Alcohol and Smoking

It is sad how some people see smoking and drinking as a way to relieve stress and forget about their problems. Sadly, the result is the opposite and the earlier you come to this realization that this notion is misleading and leads to worse problems, the better. Alcohol and Nicotine both affect the nervous system in a way that makes it easier for you to get stressed. 

It may be time to give up smoking and also reduce your alcohol intake. If you’re having issues doing this, please click here to reach out.

3. Keep Fit By Exercising

Help your body stay more alert by having a routine exercise, this will help improve concentration and reduce fatigue. Also, it will improve your ability to sleep, all these are factors that can help you relieve stress. Research has shown that regular participation in aerobic exercise has been shown to decrease overall levels of tension, elevate and stabilize mood, improve sleep, and improve self-esteem. Even five minutes of aerobic exercise can stimulate anti-anxiety effects.

You can take a walk, jog, or start any exercise you feel comfortable doing. Just make sure you add this to your lifestyle. 

4.  Create Time For Self-Care

As human beings, we feel and know when we’re stressed or heading to the burn out stage. I understand that you are busy and you have little or no time to care for yourself, but you need to create that time. Try to get your mind in the right place, and do things that will help you relieve stress. Stepping outside and getting some fresh air can help you organize your thoughts, whereas talking to a friend or colleague can help get a fresh view of a situation.

Pro Tip: I wrote an article on self-care tips for busy people, try to read this and add this to your lifestyle. 

5 . Get restful sleep

As always, I will emphasize that sleep is very important. It helps your brain function better and is a way of relieving stress. Sleep is the human equivalent of turning a machine off and on again. Getting a restful sleep will allow you to see situations clearly and react accordingly. Good sleep will also improve your mood and make you less likely to see stressful situations in a negative light.

Pro Tip: Read the article I wrote on natural ways  you can sleep better 

6. Don’t be too hard on yourself

Take it easy, don’t blame yourself for everything, don’t dwell on your mistakes – this is going to affect your health and your well-being. You’re not your mistakes and your mistakes don’t define your worth. Calm down! You’re only human. Everyone makes mistakes, try and figure out what helps you move on from mistakes – talking to a friend, family, colleague, or doing physical activities.

Figure this out and move on. 

Remember that your body is the only place you have to live in, take care of it, and make sure you keep it healthy. You only live once, why not adopt these tips and be on your way to a less stressful life.

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