Money and work were among the top cited sources of stress, according to a study reported by the American Psychological Association in 2017. Additionally, over 70% of surveyed adults cite that this stress causes both physiological and psychological effects on their body and day to day happiness.
Finding effective ways to combat stress is crucial to a happy life. Turn bad days into good days with these stress management techniques for overall mental wellbeing.
Avoid Stress Triggers
The first step in achieving mental wellbeing is to reflect on the following:
How are you treating your body?
Are you getting enough sleep?
Are you exercising?
Or are you incorporating common stress triggers in your life?
Avoiding stress triggers like caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine are huge in managing stress and anxiety. These are all bodily stimulants that can make stress send your body into overdrive and make existing stress worse.
If you’re seeking ways to manage stress and reach mental wellbeing, you need to start with a clean slate. So rid your body of these types of potentially harmful toxins.
Combat Common Stressors Head On
30% of Americans are constantly stressed about money daily. And 85% of Americans money as a sometimes stress, reports CNBC News. With money being on the minds of most Americans, what can you do to manage it?
For starters, the American Psychological Association advises that the first step in getting your finances in order is to identify overall financial stressors and make a plan.
Track your spending habits and make a spreadsheet. If your credit score is a source of anxiety, get your credit score repaired by seeking help from mortgage brokers near me who are trusted financial advisors. A healthy, strong credit score affects many facets of life, from the ability to get a home mortgage to opening a credit card.
By confronting your financial areas of need head-on, you are one step closer to reducing the burden of money anxiety.
Another common stressor for many adults is their job. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by that recent meeting or if the workload is piling up too high, Forbes magazine suggests that a couple minutes of deep breathing and mindfulness can help. Making a to-do list of tasks ranked by importance can also help a daunting work pile become more approachable.
“Taking a walk outdoors out of the office on your lunch break can also aid overall happiness and wellbeing while at work,” says Dr. Sharon Melnick.
Daily Practices to Rev Up Your Mental Health
The American Heart Association asserts that mindfulness meditations and positive self-talk routines are some of the most effective daily practices to reduce any type of stress or anxiety.
Turning your “cant’s” into “cans” shifts negative self-talk to positive, and this practice over time will become the norm. Negative self-talk only adds to stress, where positive self-affirmations only help create a sense of calm and mental wellbeing.
Spend time in mindful meditation to “unplug” and be only with your thoughts. This is valuable time spent managing the anxieties of your daily life.
Another practice proven highly effective by doctors to manage stress is exercise. Daily physical activity is directly tied to stress management and reduction of anxiety, reports the Anxiety and Depression Center of America.
Exercise enhances cognitive functioning, gets happy chemicals (positive endorphins) flowing in your body, and improves your alertness throughout the day. Having a sharp mind is key to managing stress.
Also, exercise is also linked to better sleep at night. A restful night’s sleep is also vital in the reduction of overall stress. According to the ADAA, even incorporating five minutes of physical exercise can stimulate anti-stress and anxiety effects to your body.
Managing stress and anxiety always seems like a daunting task. Simple daily practices like reflecting on finances, spending time meditating, or taking walks are ways to combat stress and find yourself on the path of mental wellbeing.
