{"id":5234,"date":"2018-08-22T15:53:36","date_gmt":"2018-08-22T19:53:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.naturalwellness.com\/nwupdate\/?p=5234"},"modified":"2023-05-09T12:41:52","modified_gmt":"2023-05-09T16:41:52","slug":"15-healthy-ways-to-relieve-stress","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.naturalwellness.com\/nwupdate\/15-healthy-ways-to-relieve-stress\/","title":{"rendered":"15 Healthy Ways to Relieve Stress"},"content":{"rendered":"

You\u2019re never going to live a stress-free life. Life is, by its very nature, stressful. If we all agreed on everything all the time, there would be little motivation to change or grow. And if we didn\u2019t change or grow, we might as well be mold sitting on the couch.<\/p>\n

Some stress can provide the spark of inspiration. More stress can make you focused. Too much stress? Well, that\u2019s just no good for anybody.<\/p>\n

When you\u2019re really stressed, and really stressed for a prolonged period of time, the physical and mental factors take their toll. If you feel overwhelmed, lonely or depressed, if you\u2019re easily agitated, if you avoid others, those are key emotional signals. Physically, you may feel sluggish or sick. You may experience chest pains, rapid heartbeat, difficulty sleeping, or a decrease in libido. If you can\u2019t focus, if you\u2019re constantly worrying, if you just can\u2019t seem to remember anything, it\u2019s time to take a step back.<\/p>\n

When you\u2019re in a bad place and you need to hit the reset button, try any or all of these 15 stress-relieving techniques.<\/p>\n

1) Eat Better<\/h3>\n

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Who doesn\u2019t enjoy a nice fried bucket of pity chicken? Or a hamburger that\u2019s more grease than meat? Unfortunately, stress-eating only feels good in the moment. Like alcohol or drugs, that high quickly fades and you\u2019re left with even more painful side effects. What you eat has a tremendous impact on how you feel, both physically and emotionally. Ditch the sugary and processed stuff, which only sets you up to crash, and try fruits and vegetables that are high in antioxidants. Fish with high levels of omega-3 fatty acids<\/a> are believed to reduce stress, so head over to your local sushi bar or make yourself a tuna fish sandwich.<\/p>\n

2) Listen to Soothing Music<\/h3>\n

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Soothing music has been shown to lower blood pressure and reduce the hormone linked to stress. There are plenty of meditation and stress-relieving albums to choose from. Then again, if heavy metal is your jam and you\u2019ve got a place to rock out, feel free to let your freak flag fly. Whatever kind of music makes you feel good, that\u2019s what you should dial in to.<\/p>\n

3) Take Some Deep Breaths<\/h3>\n

According to psychologist Judith Tutin, PhD, \u201cDeep breathing counters the effects of stress by slowing the heart rate and lowering blood pressure.\u201d You don\u2019t need a yoga mat or even a gym membership to try this exercise:<\/p>\n