How to reduce stress

From time to time, everyone experiences stress. It is a natural reaction of your body to challenges and demands. Whether you experience stress because of an important appointment or a certain fear, it is part of being human and a natural part of life. Even though it can help you get things done, stress can also be very exhausting. When stress becomes too overwhelming or chronic, it can be harmful to your well-being. To manage your stress, there are some important things to know. Learn more about stress in our blog.

What is stress?

As mentioned above, stress is a natural thing. It is a response of your body that can be triggered by several things. From small daily hassles to major life changes, like a divorce or job loss. Stress can give you negative feelings, such as loneliness, fear, anxiety, and anger. Besides that, stress also has a bad influence on our body. For example, it can result in high blood pressure and an elevated heart rate.

How can stress be positive?

We often associate stress with negative thoughts. However, it can also be a positive thing. Positive stress, also called eustress, is a product of the nerves and is good for your body. You can experience positive stress from exciting things, such as taking a holiday or starting a new job. That is why it is good to challenge yourself with exciting things and to get out of your comfort zone. It helps you to experience positive stress. A healthy amount of positive stress gives you positive feelings, motivation, confidence, and inspiration.

How to deal with stress?

There is no standard solution that everyone can use to relieve stress. What works for one person might not work for another person. And also, some stress relief tools might not be an option when you are at work. That is why it is good to have a variety of stress relief tools at your disposal to use in different situations. There are a few easy things everyone can do in their daily lives.

Eat and drink healthy

When you are stressed, you may be inclined to drink (more) alcohol or unhealthy eating. These habits may help at a specific moment, but will add more stress in the long-term. Consuming a healthy and balanced diet can help you to reduce stress structurally.

Exercise regularly

It is proven that exercising is a powerful stress reliever. Besides all of the physical health benefits, it is also great for your mental health. When exercising, you will relieve endorphins, which are natural substances that help you feel better and more positive.

Practice meditation and relaxation techniques

Taking the time to relax every day helps your body to manage stress. It also protects your body from new stressors. Exercises such as deep breathing exercises, and mindfulness are very effective.

Reduce stress triggers

In our busy and demanding lives, we quickly take on too many demands in too little time. This creates a lot of stress. Control your time-management and set up your boundaries. It is important to take enough care of yourself.

Listen to your body

It is okay to say no to demands that take too much energy from you. Listen to your body and set your limits. When you are feeling too overwhelmed, it is good to remind yourself that you are doing well. It is crucial to have a healthy sense of self-esteem.

Stress relief with the Wim Hof Method

The Wim Hof Method is very effective for stress relief. The method is a combination of breathing exercises, meditation, and exposure to cold. When you practice these three components it helps you to relieve stress. The exercises, especially the breathing and exposure to cold, provoke a physical stressor and reset your stress response. This ensures that stress would not feel as overwhelming as it otherwise would. Your stress tolerance will increase positively. Start today and experience all the benefits of the Wim Hof Method!