Stress is a feeling of being under pressure. This pressure can come from different aspects of personal and professional life. It affects us in several ways both physically and emotionally and if you do not learn how to control it, can accumulate over time affecting your overall mental health. Making simple changes to your everyday life can make a big difference.
Photo, Caleb George.
1. Introduce Cannabis To Your Daily Routine: As we are learning more and more about the health benefits of cannabis, we are seeing more research going into how to use it as an effective tool to combat stress. Cannabidiol (CBD) is a type of cannabinoid, a chemical found naturally in cannabis, that has proven to vastly reduce stress when taken regularly.
CBD is non-psychoactive, therefore, can give you relaxation without the high. U.S. residents can get their weed from Mankind in San Diego; the team there can make sure you get the strain that is best for when you want to relieve stress.
2. Manage Your Time: Stress can come from feeling overwhelmed by our to-do list. Learning how to manage your time and prioritise can help you in feeling overburdened. One way to do this is to make a list of all that needs to be achieved in the day, highlighting the most important ones. Then set realistic expectations about what can be completed in the day, allowing time for you to unwind and relax. Learning how to delegate can also save you stress.
Photo, Aziz Acharki.
3. Exercise Daily: Stressful situations increase the level of stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol in your body. These are fight or flight hormones which were designed to protect us in the wild. These are not so necessary in the modern age so can be levelled out by doing some physical exercise. After exercise, your body releases stress-relieving and mood-boosting endorphins; restoring your body and mind to a calmer, more relaxed state.
Photo, Alex Blăjan.
When you feel stressed and tense, go for a brisk walk in the fresh air. Try to incorporate exercise into your daily routine, aiming for 30 minutes per day, if that is not manageable for you. Making minor changes, such as walking to work or getting off the bus a stop early, can help to relax and clear the mind.
4. Sleep Well: The relationship between sleep and mood is complex, with lack of sleep a significant cause of stress affecting energy levels, emotions as well as motivation. Stress also is known to interrupt sleep with thoughts whirling through our mind, stopping us from relaxing enough to fall asleep. Turn your room into a space of tranquility, stop doing any stimulating work a couple of hours before turning in, giving your eyes a break from the blue lights and your brain time to calm down. Have a hot cup of tea, take a long bath or read a book, allowing your body and mind to switch off for the evening.
5. Practice Mindfulness: Learning how to be mindful of the present moment teaches us to let go of anxious thoughts and relax. There are many forms of mindfulness, these include yoga, meditation, breathwork, meditation with music and journal writing.
