Stress in women is increasing. According to research, women, in particular, are more prone to worrying overthinking, anxiety and stressing out. After all, how to deal with stress and anxiety? Read on to know how to relieve stress fast.
Stress has become so ubiquitous and ingrained in our culture that we are now taking it for granted. We feel almost constantly under pressure or the weight of some dreadful deadline.
Moreover, we are so caught up in our daily activities that we sometimes forget the big picture and even forget to find out ways to relieve stress naturally. We juggle myriad things at once, we jump from one task to another only to end up fragmented and mildly disoriented.
Stress Is Not An Option For Women
Is society to blame for building great expectations when it comes to being a woman in the 21st century? If so, can we undo it? Can we train ourselves to believe that, although we can do and be anything, we are not machines? Sure we can adapt to more challenging situations, but getting used to stress is not an option.
In reality, contrary to popular belief, we don’t have superpowers. Women just like men, also get tired from time to time and need breaks, we need deep rest. So, women need to pause for a moment and realize we cannot do all those things we want to achieve if we give in to stress and anxiety.
Did you know: Stress reduction can also improve your longevity.
It is especially women who have a hard time with self-care.
But it’s time we acknowledged that it’s vital to properly take care of ourselves, of our inner mental and emotional universes:
“Rest and self-care are so important. When you take time to replenish your spirit, it allows you to serve others from the overflow. You cannot serve from an empty vessel.” – Eleanor Brown
Stress Can Affect Women?
One of the biggest problems, when feeling stressed, is our tendency to give in to bad habits and unhealthy coping mechanisms. If we are not aware of how stress can change us and drain us on all levels, it’s easier to follow a downward spiral.
But there are solutions to relieve stress quickly. Here are some ways we can undo the damage and start taking better care of ourselves.
15 Healthy Ways To Relieve Stress And Anxiety
1. Learn to prioritize
Let’s make one thing clear: putting yourself first is not selfish. Taking good care of yourself means you want to give your best to the people around you. Then try to think about what matters the most to you and focus on that first thing in the morning.
Successful people do these things in the morning. They can act as habits of success. Having an effective morning routine is the key to be stress-free in this chaotic life.
2. Pay attention to your sleeping patterns
Quality sleep is essential for our mental health and well-being. It’s the best cure for almost everything and it can help us replenish. It’s free and it’s in our power to develop and maintain healthy sleeping habits.
Sadly, in our culture, people brag about how little sleep they get, as if it’s an achievement in itself. But many studies indicate that sleep deprivation has a lasting negative impact on your health, particularly on mental health.
Hence, men and women who are in stress must keep an eye on their sleeping habits and improve them accordingly. Here are some good sleeping habits for adults.
3. Don’t rely on substance aids
If you’re relying on that cup (or those cups!) of coffee to get you through the day, then you’re starting your day off on the wrong foot. Tobacco, alcohol, drugs, caffeine or even sugar are not solutions to stress or a hectic lifestyle. If anything, they worsen it.
Studies show that alcohol is a depressant, contrary to what we may believe. Also, that rush you feel after eating chocolate or drinking Coca-Cola won’t last. You are merely entering a zone of addiction that will inevitably make things worse.
4. End toxic relationships
Putting a full stop to your toxic relationships must be the first thing you must do to deal with stress and anxiety.
Stress in women can mainly occur due to toxic people in their lives. Toxic people drain you. If you feel exhausted after interacting with someone, they may not be the right friend for you. Cutting people out of your life may not be easy, especially if they’ve been around for a long time.
But it’s time to make room for people who are genuinely caring, kind and who will help you grow, instead of bringing you down.
5. Take a break from social media and technology
Social media can sometimes act like a toxic life partner too. Needless to say, signing out could lift your spirits more than you imagine. Especially if you are addicted.
Researchers also finding connections between the usage of social media and loneliness.
There is, in fact, a lot of stress associated with handling technology, with checking and responding to dozens of emails and notifications (sometimes to all at once!).
Moreover, our attachment to our smartphones is insane, unsanitary and we need some time out. We tend to forget that these smartphones are making us dumber day by day. So it would be a good idea to take a break from social media and see if you are relieved from stress or anxiety or even loneliness.
6. Slow down
Sometimes, the most productive thing you can do is – relax! Slowing down means you give yourself enough time to adjust to something, to reflect on things, and to consider the big picture. A fast pace is not for everybody.
Also, technology advances far more rapidly than we can adapt as humans. If we want to avoid an apocalyptic scenario, we better take it slowly and reconsider our lives, our purpose and what’s truly meaningful to us.
Taking a break and finding what matters to you can be very essential to kill stress in women.
7. Cook yourself a nice meal
This is particularly helpful if you love cooking. Getting creative in the kitchen will take your mind off your worries, at least for a while.
Learning to cook can change your life in several ways. Cooking is also an art, that brings tons of benefits to you other than just homemade healthy food.
Here are some healthy dinner recipes that are easy yet delicious, vegetable and chicken soup recipes weight loss, or even Easter recipes ideas. You must try these recipes at home.
8. Improve your time management
Mismanaging your time can be a huge source of stress. In our society, we are very bound by calendars, dates, and deadlines.
Stopping to procrastinate is a key aspect of time management. Here are 3 simple ways to stop procrastinating and getting things done on time.
But we can befriend time or turn it into our worst enemy. It’s really up to us to get organized and see how we can take the most advantage of the time we have.
9. Listen to or play music
Musicians and singers alike know the incredible power of music. So if you’re feeling stressed, turn up the volume and sing along to your favorite tune. You’ll feel energized in no time!
Learning to play music can bring several benefits to your life. Playing the piano or strumming your guitar also has almost magic-like health benefits.
10. Write in a journal
If you wish to relieve stress fast, then take time to journal every day.
Writing is yet another immersive activity. When we give shape to our turmoil with pen and paper, we can clear our minds and organize our thoughts in a better fashion. It’s even better if you decide to roam freely and get creative. See where poetry takes you!
11. Go out dancing
We all know that physical activities help cure mental illness too.
Moving our bodies to the music we like in sync with others does powerful things to our brains. We may not be professional dancers or even aspire to become one, but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy rhythm and tapping to a crazy beat.
Think of it as exercise with feeling. Men and women with stress and anxiety must consider dance forms like Salsa, or even Zumba classes for weight loss as an aid.
12. Meditate
Without a doubt, meditation is one of the effective ways to deal with stress and anxiety or depression. Meditation is a must these days. It is a tool to cleanse your mind and improve focus.
There is increasing research on the multiple health benefits of meditation. And studies seem to unanimously agree that relieving stress is probably right there at the top of the list.
When you allow yourself to pause and take a deep breath (both literally and figuratively), you become more in tune with yourself. Meditation can sharpen your awareness as well as connect you more to your self and others.
13. See a friend
Talking to your best friend about what you’re going through will surely alleviate some of your concerns. A best friend can help you deal with stress and anxiety.
Moreover, helping them out when in need will make you focus less on your problems and more on finding solutions for them.
Real friendship can be a lifesaver to help deal with stress and anxiety. Women especially must have female friends to hang out with and share a meaningful bond. Here’s how you can be a real true friend.
14. Take a hot long bath
Cultivate habits that make you feel happy and pampered. Never underestimate the magical effects of a bubble bath! Even Sylvia Plath thought of it as a tremendous remedy:
“There must be quite a few things a hot bath won’t cure, but I don’t know many of them. Whenever I’m sad I’m going to die, or so nervous I can’t sleep, or in love with somebody I won’t be seeing for a week, I slump down just so far and then I say: “I’ll go take a hot bath.”
15. Learn to let go
Learning to let go is one of the crucial ways to deal with stress and anxiety. Letting go of whatever is harming you will create space for things and people you value.
Clinging to the past can be another major source of stress. We will never truly experience relief and liberation if we continue to look back.
Concluding Thoughts
All things considered, there are plenty of ways we can restore balance in our lives and start taking good care of ourselves.
Always remember that stress is not something we should live with. We can overcome it and create healthier habits for us as well as for our communities.
Which of these ways to relieve stress are you going to follow? What do you think is the best way to deal with stress? Let us know in the comments section.
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