Activities That Relieve Stress At Any Age
I just want to let you know that all opinions are my own and I may earn from qualifying purchases. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. Enjoy and feel free to share with your friends!
When you’re under stress, it causes tension in the body, especially in the muscles. What this tension does to your muscles is it keeps them from relaxing the way that they should.
This is not a physical condition, but is a physical reaction to the emotional fallout that’s caused by stress. This is why you can have backaches when you’re stressed – or stiff shoulders or neck pain.
Your body is taking on that stress. Because stress is absorbed into the body, it causes the aging process to accelerate. But there are activities that you can do no matter what your age is that can soothe that stress.
Meditation is one. Even if all you can do is practice it for 10 minutes, it’ll still help because it causes the body to relax, but it also relaxes emotions. People who engage in meditation can eliminate anxiety and control stress.
Practice deep breathing. Deep breathing calms the central nervous system and reduces stress. Do something fun like dancing. Dancing results in the release of endorphins, which are the feel good hormones -,so not only does it relax you emotionally, but it also causes your muscles to unclench so they relax, too.
If you don’t want to dance, take a walk. Being outside can help lessen stress. Even if all you do is walk around your neighborhood, it still helps, because this act causes a rise in serotonin.
This neurotransmitter is a mood booster, so you feel good physically and emotionally when it’s released. Play with your pet if you have one. Research shows that animals relieve stress because the interaction with them causes the body’s level of cortisol, the stress hormone, to lower.
Explore a new place or even your own area. Take a hike on a nature trail or play tourist in your own city. Studies show that spending time in nature not only lowers your body’s response to stress, but it also boosts the immune system, relaxes the mind and gives you energy.
Grow flowers or vegetables in an indoor garden. This has the same effect as being out in nature. It boosts your mood, while at the same time it relieves stress. Plus, keeping your hands busy nurturing and growing plants can also help keep a positive mindset.
Listen to music. Music is a known stress reliever for both the body and the mind. You can enjoy music at home or you can find a concert to attend or look up a local band and go hear them play.
Find something to laugh about. This might be a movie or a video, but laughter can ease body tension in the muscles, while at the same time limiting the stress reaction, lowering blood pressure and boosting endorphin production.
Use aromatherapy. Certain scents relax the muscles and lower stress. Eat some dark chocolate. This delicious treat is known to lower the amount of cortisol produced by stress and lowering the cortisol relaxes the muscles.
