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GOOD THERAPY

Activities That Will Reduce Stress and Anxiety and Help You Relax

There are many things that could stress a person out. It could be school, work, relationships, or other contributing factors. Others might deal with anxiety on a regular basis. Here are some activities that you can try that have been proven to reduce stress and anxiety, and could improve your mental health.

Laugh

Find time to laugh more. Believe it or not, it can help you reduce stress! Laughing releases endorphins, which help you feel happier and act as natural pain medications. Laughing can also make you less tense and less tired. Added benefit of laughing? It gets the blood moving and can reduce the risk of a heart attack. So watch your favorite comedy, a funny YouTube video, or joke around with friends. You won’t regret it!

Color

Adult coloring books are a huge trend right now, and for good reason. They are great de-stressors! Coloring can help you relax and get your mind off other things. Other creative activities can also act as de-stressors. Because creative activities often require a lot of your attention, they make you focus on that one thing you are working on. Then, you won’t have as much time to focus on the things that are stressing you out. So paint, draw, color, cook, or do whatever creative hobby you enjoy!

Exercise

Exercising regularly is a huge help for those who are suffering from stress and anxiety. Exercise releases endorphins, which can make you happier and less stressed. When you exercise, you can also sleep better, and proper sleep habits also lead to less stress. You don’t have to run a marathon to get these benefits. Even going on a walk or doing 15 minutes of aerobic exercise will help. Stick to an exercise routine that you can handle, but make sure to get up and get moving!

Turn on some music

Music, in particular classical music, can help you to de-stress. When a person listens to music, they can reduce their blood pressure and slow down their heart rate, as well as reduce levels of cortisol, the “stress hormone.” Even if you think listening to music is distracting, that’s okay! Maybe that’s what you need. Listen to music in the car, when you exercise, or even when you are just sitting around at home. It will help.

Keep a journal

Writing down what you are feeling can let you release what you can’t say out loud. It will help you organize your thoughts and sort through what you are feeling. It will also give you a way to “release” what has been bothering you or stressing you out. From there, if you feel like you need to talk about it with somebody, you can. If not, you can use your journal as your own personal tool to go back to every time you are stressed, or you can reflect back on what you previously wrote, whenever you want.

Even if you do one or all of these activities, it could make a big difference in your mental health. Click here for more relaxing activities you can try. Of course, if these activities don’t de-stress you, you can always come in to Corner Canyon Counseling for an appointment today.