Written by Menswear Style in Health & Fitness on the 22nd February 2021

No one told us when we were kids that being an adult meant that sometimes (or a lot of the time) we would have to deal with an ugly unseen monster called stress. As the responsibilities pile on in our lives, so does the stress. And it’s strange, because it comes slowly and silently, and grows and grows until it becomes unbearable and heavyweight at times. This is why it’s imperative that you stay aware of your own mental state and take action when you start to feel down. Don’t put it at the bottom of your list of priorities, because if you are not well, you won’t be able to function to the best of your ability. We’re going to help you get started by providing you with 6 ideas that will help you reduce stress and help you learn to relax.

Take Up Breath-Focused Exercises 

Panic and anxiety come hand-in-hand with stress, and this can have a serious affect on your health if you don’t take action. You’ll be amazed to know that knowing how to focus on and control your breath can really help you relax. There are a number of ways in which you can do this. You can learn how to meditate, look into tai chi, and even yoga because they all centre around being able to focus on your breath. Alternatively, if you find yourself in a stressful situation, there are in-the-moment breathing exercises available as well, such as the 4-7-8 exercise and diaphragmatic breathing, just to name a few amongst many others. Do a bit of research and you’ll be able to find the one that suits you best.

Push Your Body to Be More Active 

Even though the onset of stress can really bring you down and make you feel like the last thing you want to do is be active, this is something you need to push yourself to do. The reason for this is that a mere 15 or 30mins of exercise per day will do wonders for your state of mind. It releases hormones that help you to stay focused and energised, and much more capable of dealing with stressful situations. Stress can often affect your physical body in really drastic ways, and this is a great way to combat it. 

Keep a Journal 

Yes, we know you’re not 12, and honestly, it doesn’t matter how old you are. Stress is powerful, but the expression is a killer to anything negative in your life. Being faced with anxiety can be crippling and can affect your state of mind in a big way. You should never settle and accustom yourself to this feeling. This is why journaling can be so effective when it comes to beating stress. Things that you or others convince you is not important builds up and kills your dreams and self-esteem, but if you journal and speak your truth, no one will ever be able to take that away from you, as it will be a reminder of who you are and that it’s okay to have an opinion and an identity.

Have Regular Spa Days 

The first thing you must have thought when seeing this suggestion is ‘I don’t have time’. This is not true. You can always spare an hour on at least one day in the week and you’re going to have to do this if you value your sanity. You do deserve to be pampered and you do deserve time out to unwind. Scotland-based Inverness Palace Hotel and Spa gives you insight into what kind of services a good spa should provide. You should do a bit of searching and find out what is close by so you can go at any time. Take some time out, get a massage, soak in the hot tub and relax your muscles to release the stress. 

Change Your Outlook on Life 

If you’re consistently suffering from panic attacks and stress, then it’s time to take a step back and delve deeper into the source of all this. If you’re faced with circumstances that you cannot change, then it’s time that you make an effort to change your outlook on life. This is a process that needs patience, but it’s extremely rewarding. You can seek professional help from a therapist or a life coach, and try to find like-minded people that you can talk with as well.

Discover What You’re Passionate About 

We’re often caught up in a vicious cycle of the same routine day in and day out, this is why it’s so important that you take the time to discover who you are and what it is you’re passionate about. Taking the time to take up a hobby that makes you happy and puts a smile on your face is more important than you can imagine. 

Explore Plant Based Methods 

For many thousands of years, people from many backgrounds and cultures have utilised plants as a method of relieving stress. This hasn’t slowed down in recent years either, as there are so many plants that you can make the most of to help you relax and calm down. One plant that you might like to try is chamomile, as chamomile tea is one of the most calming blends that you could ever consider sipping. Chamomile is a white flowering plant that smells as good as it tastes, and you can easily find organic chamomile tea in any grocery store. It can help you to chill out and aid you in gaining a better night's sleep, too. Another plant that you might like to explore which is becoming extremely popular thanks to recent spouts of legalisation is marijuana. It now comes in many forms, from edible gummies to a Delta 9o Vape, so it’s up to you what kind of option you choose to utilise. It’s always a good idea to do your research beforehand, but it’s safe to say that plants are generally far safer than chemical alternatives.  

Using the 7 methods mentioned here, you’re going to be able to battle and overcome any source of stress that is thrown at you as you walk through the journey of your life. Always remember that even though life can be quite eventful at times, it doesn’t have to be unbearable as long as you learn how to deal with stress.

We recommend Breath-Focused Exercises, Being More Active, Keeping a Journal, Regular Spa Days, and more in this guide to 6 Ways to Relax and Reduce Stress.