Whether we like it or not, stress is a part of our life, and we can’t change it. When life throws hurdles at you one at a time, everything seems manageable. But when everything starts going wrong, we often start feeling overwhelmed. Managing family, work, and other commitments with an exhausted mind is even more stressful. So, what do you do?

You must learn healthier ways to cope with stress and prevent your mental and physical health from deteriorating. As easy as it may sound, this requires immense practice and patience, but we know you can do it.

Here are some healthy stress coping mechanisms you should know about.

Exercise

Exercising regularly is one of the easiest ways to relax your mind and body. A rigorous workout that makes you sweat can also help improve your mood. But if you want it to pay off, you must do it regularly.

So, how often should you exercise every week? According to experts, 150 minutes of moderate-intensity workouts followed by two days of strength training exercises can improve your physical and mental health.

Relax Your Body

Constant stress can negatively impact your body muscles, and cause soreness, knots, and tightness in the body. However, there are many ways to loosen up tight muscles and feel refreshed, such as:

• A deep tissue massage
• Stretching
• Yoga
• Hot showers or bath
• A good night’s sleep

Deep Breath Exercises

When stressed, our breathing can become fast and heavy, building too much pressure on our chest. One of the easiest ways to get rid of this pressure and ensure you’re keeping the stress away is to do regular breathing exercises.

Breathing exercises have proven to be very effective in improving overall health and managing stress. All you need to do is sit in a comfortable position and close your eyes. Forget about everything and focus your attention to your breathing. Then slowly breathe in and out a couple of times. Do this every day for 5 to 10 minutes and you’ll be surprised to see the benefits.

Eating Well

Eating a well-balanced and healthy diet is crucial for a healthy body and mind. When you eat well, it makes you feel good too. For example, having spicy food regularly can cause bloating and stomach discomfort, leading to an irritated mood and an exhausted body.

While there’s no harm in satisfying your cravings every once in a while, it shouldn’t become a regular habit. Incorporate a generous portion of veggies, fruits, lean protein, and whole grains in your everyday meal to remain energetic and active.

Slow Down

If your body cannot keep up with your fast paced life, it’s a sign for you to slow down. Our modern life can get us so busy and exhausted that we often ignore little signs our body keeps sending to us, such as through sore muscles or a mild fever. Here’s how you can manage your everyday tasks more effectively with less stress:

• Set your watch 10 mins ahead of the clock to ensure you leave early to get to places.
• Switch your car to the slow lane when driving on the highway to avoid road rage and added stress.
• Break your bigger goals into smaller tasks to make them easy to accomplish.

Don’t Give Up

When stress begins to take over, and nothing goes your way, it makes you want to give up. When these feelings start affecting your mind and body, turn to Akwasi Frimpong. I am Ghana’s first skeleton Olympian who went against all odds and got the world on my side. When I felt like giving up, this is what helped me stay on the path. That’s why I’m here as an athlete motivational speaker to help you achieve your goals.

Visit my website now to learn more.