Tips on Stress Relief for Busy People

Change is as good as a rest they say and it’s true. No matter how much you love your job, and no matter how much your job loves you, things can go wrong, all you need to put it right is a change of scenery or simply a change of tactic and to unwind during these times. Let’s look at ways to push the reset button.

Whether you’re a fitness freak or a culinary genius, a budding Picasso or the new Ed Sheran, here are some suggestions to suit everyone.

Take good care of your health.

Various studies have found that those who live healthier lifestyles tend to deal with stress less frequently than those who do not. This is because they are often taking action to listen to and care for their minds and bodies, reducing stress, anxiety and other negative emotions. There are many ways in which you can improve your health, even when you are relatively busy. 
For example, you could start by focusing on quitting smoking. After all, not only can this deal to a wide range of health complications, but smoking can also increase your cortisol (stress hormone) levels. As such, the sooner you stub out that cigarette, the better. You may find that relinquishing this habit is easier by switching to a vape as opposed to quitting cold turkey. 

Cook with Nigella Lawson 

The high priestess of the culinary dark arts is hosting an online cooking show. Nigella, who has been banned in some countries for her sultry looks and saucy innuendo, creates dishes that everyone will love. Easy to create using unusual ingredients; who knew you could cook a ham in a coke-style drink and it would be so tasty?

The home of the online cook is YouTube. Every conceivable style of cooking is catered for, including Jamie Oliver’s BBQ chicken cooked standing up with a tin can up its rear end. That’s the chicken, not Jamie, in case you were wondering. 

Indulge in Physical Activity 

Stress causes the level of stress hormones such as adrenaline to increase and this, in turn, creates cortisol in your body. Unfortunately, cortisol in women settles around the midriff, making a bad situation worse for both self-esteem and your health.

Exercise is the answer. Whether it’s a brisk 20-minute walk in the park, or a jog around the block or a combination of both, your mind and body will thank you for some exercise. On top of that, the quality of your sleep will improve massively.

If you already work out regularly and still feel the effects of stress, it might be time to mix things up. You can do this by upping the intensity of your exercise routine. For example, outfitting your bike with one of those big ROTOR cranksets will push you further, as you can see exactly how much power you’re using on the bike. You go harder on the pedal but go farther and faster, resulting in a greater rush of endorphins.

Alternatively, you might prefer to try a different form of exercise altogether. Yoga is an excellent exercise for relieving stress. It clears your mind and strengthens your body at the same time. 

It hasn’t been possible in the last few months to join a club and meet others, but as restrictions become less stringent and when the coronavirus pandemic comes to an end, group activity will start again. In the meantime try an online exercise class. 

There are loads of clubs that have sprung up in recent months as a response to quarantine, and many members have remained even as the restrictions have been lifted, thanks to the sense of comradery.

Fashioned with Jane Fonda in mind, these no-pain no-gain exercise classes are increasingly popular with millennials and baby boomers alike. Featuring heavily online and free of charge, it’s time to get out your leg warmers and headband and make like Madonna.

Get More Sleep

This is easier said than done, and the more we want to sleep the less likely we will be able to sleep. It can be very much like a never-ending cycle that leads to stress and anxiety. So what can we do to stop thoughts and worries whirling through our mind in the middle of the night?

Rather than rely on medication you should try to maximize relaxation before going to sleep. in order to do this make sure your bedroom is tranquil, calm, and cool in temperature. Avoid caffeine at least 2 hours before going to bed as well as excessive alcohol. Alcohol can lead to a night of disturbed sleep.

If it’s at all possible stop doing any mentally demanding work several hours before going to bed in order to give your brain time to calm down. Even try a warm bath or reading an undemanding book. To make sure you get a good night’s sleep, go to bed at the same time each day so that your mind and body will get used to a predictable bedtime routine. 

Manage Your Time

This sounds obvious, but it is in fact tricky to manage your time with all the outside influences on offer today. Make a list of all the things you need to do and put them in order of priority.  Work out what tasks you need to do personally, and what can be delegated to others. Record the tasks that need to be done immediately, and then the others that can be done next week, or the next month or when time allows.

By editing what might have started out as an overwhelming to-do list and putting down on paper exactly what needs to be done, you can get some perspective. From there, break the to-do list down into much smaller sections and commit to ticking things off your list every day. You will be surprised how fast the list will become manageable.

Try to limit your time looking at social media. We’ve all spent hours looking at silly cat videos and scrolling through the online sales – no-one needs that many shoes. 

Laugh out Loud 

Nothing beats a good laugh and it’s a fact that laughter is an excellent stress relief tool. So join in; watch that comedy show or chat to a friend, share a joke online and soon you won’t feel stressed at all. You’re relaxed and ready to take on the world.