8 SIMPLE STRESS RELIEF ACTIVITIES

8 SIMPLE STRESS RELIEF ACTIVITIES

With so much happening in the world these days who doesn’t welcome a little less stress. My online research has uncovered a list of easy to follow stress relief activities. I describe eight of them below. Try one. Try them all. There is one in particular that is worth taking a closer look at…I’ve saved it for last. I’ll let the list speak for itself. 

(1) LIGHT A CANDLE

Burning a scented candle may help reduce your feelings of stress and anxiety.

Watch that flame go back and forth and then reach for the sky. Don’t light it near curtains. Your drapery will thank you. That wouldn’t be stress relief. What’s that smell?

Regarding the use of scents. Some scents are especially soothing. Here are some of the most calming scents: Lavender, Rose, Chamomile, Frankincense, Sandalwood, and Orange Blossom and this is by no means all inclusive. Don’t burn a scent your room mate or significant other doesn’t care for. No stress relief in that action. Using scents to treat your mood is called aromatherapy. Several studies show that aromatherapy can decrease anxiety and improve sleep.  

(2) REDUCE CAFFEINE

Caffeine is a stimulant found in coffee, tea, chocolate and energy drinks. High doses can increase anxiety People have different thresholds for how much caffeine they can tolerate. I inject it. Where did I put my hypo? You on the other hand might benefit from reduced caffeine intake. Caffeine can make you jittery or anxious. I’ll just take a break till my hands stop shaking. 

Many studies show that in moderation coffee can be healthy but know that it’s not for everyone. In general, five or fewer cups per day is considered a moderate amount. Like I said earlier where did I put that hypo?

(3) WRITE IT DOWN

One way to handle stress is to write things down. Documenting your plans to build that designer birdhouse for a needy friend is one approach, another I find more sensible is jotting down what you’re grateful for. Gratitude in and of itself may help relieve stress and anxiety by focusing your thoughts on what’s positive in your life. Is it that bad? You need this list more than I thought. Keeping a journal can help relieve stress and anxiety, especially if you focus on the positive. No stalking journals. I feel better already. 

(4) CHEW GUM

For a super easy and quick stress reliever chewing a stick of gum might just do the trick. According to several studies, people who chew gum have a greater sense of well being and lower stress. I buy packs of gum by the box. 

One possible explanation gum is a stress reliever is that chewing gum causes brain waves similar to those of relaxed people. Another is that chewing gum promotes blood flow to your brain. It also exercises your jaw. 

(5) LAUGH

Okay, so it’s hard to feel anxious when you’re laughing. Laughing helps relieve stress in several ways. It affects your stress response which gives relief and relieves tension by relaxing your muscles. Long term, laughter can also help improve your immune system.

A study among people with cancer found that people in a laughter intervention group experienced more stress relief than those who were simply distracted. So make faces at the kids (or someone else’s if you don’t have any), talk to your dog or take a stab at interpreting your cats facial expressions. Come on I know you want to chuckle. 

(6) PRACTICE MINDFULNESS

Mindfulness describes practices that anchor you to the present moment.

Mindfulness can help combat the anxiety-inducing effects of negative thinking. Improvisers call mindfulness “being in the moment”. Kids are in the moment. Grownups not so much. We grownups have moved ahead so we can stress over tomorrow, next week and/or next month but we’re missing this moment. Take a breath and just be present. 

There are several methods for increasing mindfulness, including mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, mindfulness-based stress reduction and meditation.

A recent study in college students suggested that mindfulness may help increase self-esteem, which in turn lessens symptoms of anxiety and depression. 

 (7) LISTEN TO SOOTHING MUSIC

Listening to music can have a very relaxing effect on the body. I myself am not much of a soothing music kinda guy but the fact remains that slow-paced instrumental music can induce the relaxation response by helping lower blood pressure and heart rate as well as stress hormones.

Some types of classical, Celtic, Native American and Indian music can be particularly soothing, but simply listening to the music you enjoy is effective as well, unless it’s pile driving speed metal. Picking out which stress relief music to relieve your stress too stressful? Then don’t pick any. Go outside and listen to nature. Nature sounds can also be very calming. Not so much in the city. 

(8) EXERCISE

Exercise is one of the most important things you can do to combat stress. It might seem contradictory, but putting physical stress on your body through exercise can relieve mental stress. The benefits are strongest when you exercise regularly. People who exercise regularly are less likely to experience anxiety than those who don’t exercise.

Let’s take a look at some reasons: Exercise lowers your body’s stress hormones in the long run such as cortisol. Exercise also helps release endorphins, which are chemicals that improve your mood and act as natural painkillers. Exercise can also improve your sleep quality which can be negatively affected by stress and anxiety. Once you begin to exercise regularly you may feel more confident. I know I do. Confidence in turn promotes mental well being. 

Look for an exercise activity you enjoy such as walking, dancing, rock climbing or yoga.

Walking or jogging are activities that involve repetitive movements of large muscle groups and that can be particularly stress relieving. Of course a great addition to your exercise regime is skipping rope, a great stress relieving habit to get in.

Thing is this list of stress relief activities could go on and on. These eight stress relief activities have just scratched the surface but you get the idea. Make a list for yourself of all the things that make your world a more relaxed place. I left the most powerful stress reliever for last on purpose because it’s the most powerful. Exercise. We all benefit from it. 

Written By Author/ Improviser Greg Philippi