According to a recent study, “one in five people in the UK feel stressed more days a month than they don’t.”
While this is an alarming figure, it’s also one that’s relatively easy to understand. After all, we’re surrounded by stressors on a daily basis, whether they be present in our personal or professional lives, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.
Unfortunately, there’s no real way to avoid everyday stress, given that there are many triggers that are beyond our control. However, you can control how you respond or take care of yourself when dealing with stress, making it easier to manage.
With that in mind, here are four simple ways to relax after a stressful week.
1. Take a break from your phone
Whether you spend hours “doom scrolling” on social media or check your work email long after you’ve clocked out for the day, taking a break from your phone is one of the easiest ways to reduce your stress levels.
For example, an article in the NYT Times found that cellphone usage is linked to “chronically raising levels of cortisol, the body’s main stress hormone,” meaning that turning off your phone, even for a few hours, can help to relax and unwind.
2. Treat yourself to a massage
Whether you’re dealing with aches and pains because you’ve been stuck behind a desk all week or going too hard at the gym, treating yourself to a massage is a great way to combat this issue and reduce the toll stress can have on your body.
For example, a remedial massage can help to relieve muscular tension or chronic pain, both of which are often found in those with higher-than-average stress levels.
3. Try meditating
Meditating is often viewed as a way to combat both anxiety and stress. This is because it can help to change your perspective on things – whether they be workplace conflicts or personal struggles – for the better, encouraging you to become more positive and relaxed.
As such, even if you haven’t enjoyed meditation before, it’s worth trying whenever you begin to feel overwhelmed!
4. Talk about how you are feeling
Many of those experiencing high-stress levels will not let others know they are struggling. Again, there are many potential reasons for this. For example, they may feel as though they do not want to burden or worry those close to them. In a professional context, they may not want to make it appear as though they’re unable to do their job.
However, suffering in silence will not make your stress go away – in fact, it may make it worse. As a result, you must talk to others about how you are feeling. There are many different people you can open up to who will not only listen but can also offer helpful advice, guidance and support. For example, this could include friends, family members, colleagues or mental health professionals. Either way, it’s important that you’re able to acknowledge when you have a problem and reach out for help when you need it.
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