We’ve all experienced that moment when you’re juggling too many things at once, your mind is racing, and you’re eager to scream at the top of your lungs. According to Elliot Berkman, professor of psychology at the University of Oregon, few of us have physically demanding jobs, yet we are wiping ourselves out due to psychological factors. We spend way to long in a high intensity emotional state. We need to take more breaks and relax more often throughout the day. Taking breaks increases productivity!
In this blog post, I’m going to share 7 ways you can alleviate stress on a hectic day.
1. Chew gum
A study showed that people who chewed gum had a greater sense of well-being, improved levels of anxiety, mood and fatigue. Chewing gum arouses your brain. The increased blood flow in your brain supports brain waves similar to those of relaxed people.
2. Smile
When you’re stressed, smiling is probably not the easiest thing to do. However, force yourself to smile and say positive affirmations to yourself. Even if they feel facetious, the optimism will decrease your stress levels. Smiling and laughing is one of the best ways to instantly lighten your mood. So remember to smile and find one thing to feel grateful for in that present moment.
3. Listen to your favorite song or favorite TED Talk video
When I feel overwhelmed, the right song can really get me hype and motivate me to keep pushing. Create a playlist of mood boosting music or a playlist of your favorite Ted Talks. Listen to these playlists when you’re down. It’s amazing how listening to things that make you feel good improves your mood.
4. Take a couple deep breathes
When I’m stressed or feeling anxious, I forget to breathe. Taking a deep breath weirdly makes you feel so much better. Not a quick breath through your chest but a deep breath from your belly can do wonders to your wellbeing. When you breathe deeply, it sends extra oxygen to your brain for clarity of thought and relaxes your muscles. It also gives you a moment to take a mental step back and look at the larger picture.
5. Stand up straight or hit a power pose
Standing up straight or performing a power pose makes you feel confident and assertive like the boss you are. A study by researcher Amy Cuddy showed that standing with an upright posture decreases levels of the stress hormone cortisol
6. Write
A lot of times when I feel overwhelmed it’s because I have way to much going on in my head. In those moments, I enjoy doing a brain dump. Try taking a pen and writing everything on your mind down. Release all the stress on to the paper. The more I write the more I realize that what I’m stressing over isn’t that big of a deal and I can find a solution for it.
7. Practice mindfulness
Allow yourself to do nothing and just be present. In moments of stress, it’s important to be mindful. Recognize how you’re feeling and where all your tension lies. I hold my tension in my forehead and often clench my jaw when I’m stressed. Identify your tense spots, release the tension and practice the simple methods in this post.