It’s no secret that the world is a tremendously stressful place. Between a global pandemic, rampant economic anxiety, and countless other stressors, kicking and unwinding can be a tall order. Furthermore, living in a “work or die” society can make you feel trapped in a culture of overwork ensures that many of us are completely worn out at the end of every workday. Although stress levels are at all-time highs across the board, relaxation and inner calm are much easier to achieve than you may think. Anyone looking for simple and effective ways to unwind in a perpetually stressful world would do well to consider the following measures.
Devote Time to Your Hobbies
Having hobbies can be a boon to your stress-reduction efforts. When you’re spending time on one of your favorite hobbies, your mind is focused on something that brings you joy, and all the stressors synonymous with the outside world are liable to seem like a world away. With this in mind, carve out some time for your hobbies each day. Whether your preferred hobbies involve collecting, communicating, passively enjoying media, or any combination thereof, finding time for them every day can provide a relaxing escape from your troubles. Spend time with friends watching sports on TV.
Maintain a Consistent Sleep Schedule
The lack of a consistent sleep schedule can have several far-reaching consequences. People who regularly get fewer than eight hours of sleep each night are often ill-equipped to tackle the many challenges found in the waking world. Unsurprisingly, improper sleep habits have also been linked to heightened stress levels, anxiety, and depression. A well-rested body and mind can prove tremendously beneficial from commuting to performing on the job to maintaining healthy interpersonal relationships. As such, if your sleep schedule is inconsistent or just plain unhealthy, there’s no time like the present to start correcting this.
To start with, make sure to set a bedtime for yourself instead of a large window of time in which you might go to bed. If you’ve grown accustomed to going to sleep at different times on different days, this is liable to be a bit of an adjustment. However, after a few weeks of adhering to this new routine, it’s likely to come as second nature. Secondly, to help ensure that you’re primed to fall asleep at a decent hour, make a point of engaging in relaxing activities in the lead-up to bedtime. Such activities include meditation, deep breathing exercises, and reading. In the interest of maximum relaxation, shut off any screens about an hour before you go to sleep.
Engage in Deep Breathing Exercises
Deep breathing exercises can prove beneficial in several areas. Not only can they be conducive to long-term relaxation, but they can also help calm anxiety attacks and panic episodes reasonably promptly. There are many types of deep breathing exercises, and finding the ones that work for you may require a little bit of trial and error. A sizable percentage of these exercises involve breathing deeply through your nose and exhaling through your mouth. So, deep breathing exercises are worth your time, whether you’re trapped in the throes of an anxiety attack or wish to unwind after a stressful day.
Experiment with Cannabis
If you live in an area in which recreational cannabis use is legal, experimenting with weed may be a stress-reduction measure to consider. While marijuana affects everyone differently, some strains have been found to reduce stress and anxiety. If you’re curious about which strains are best suited to your situation, consult an expert at your preferred dispensary and do a little bit of online research. You may also want to consult articles from renowned cannabis cultivator Greg Krzanowski.
It can’t be denied that we’re living through stressful times. Although the world is a stress-inducing place, even in the best of times, you’d be hard-pressed to find someone who feels that things have become less stressful in recent years. While there’s no end-all cure for stress, there are numerous steps you can take to unwind and achieve total relaxation, regardless of how chaotic the world becomes. So, if stress reduction is among your foremost priorities, the tips discussed above are likely to come in handy.
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