Stress and anxiety are common experiences for many defence aspirants. Are you becoming frustrated and irritable due to stress? The chaos in your life can be brought back to order with the use of stress relievers. Stress relievers don’t require a lot of effort or thought. Try one of these suggestions if your tension is out of control and you need immediate relief.
A great way to help improve your self-awareness of your overall mental health is to learn stress management techniques and how to handle stressful situations. This is especially true when it comes to handling stress and the things that can cause it, such as time management demands and balancing different aspects of your life, tight deadlines in a competitive work environment, or even just battling daily anxieties.
To join the Indian Armed Forces as an officer, the SSB recommends candidates with 15 officer-like characteristics (OLQs). SSB tests look at a candidate’s personality, and it’s important for an officer to have a good, self-controlled, and balanced personality so he/she can lead and coordinate his/her subordinates well and so you being de-stressed in your life is very important.
Here are 13 tried-and-true methods for de-stressing your life.
1. Maintain a balanced diet
According to studies, persons who consume a diet heavy in ultra-processed foods and added sugar are more likely to perceive their stress levels to be higher.
Chronic stress may cause you to overeat and gravitate toward meals that are very tasty, which could be detrimental to your general health and mood.
Additionally, a lack of nutrients like magnesium and B vitamins, which are necessary for controlling stress and mood, may raise your risk of deficiency in these nutrients.
Your body can be better nourished if you consume fewer highly processed meals and beverages and more whole foods like vegetables, fruits, legumes, seafood, nuts, and seeds. Thus, you might become more stress-resistant as a result.
2. Incorporate physical activity into your routine
Almost any physical exercise has the ability to reduce stress. Exercise can be an effective stress reliever even if you’re not athletic or in good physical form.
Exercise can increase your levels of feel-good endorphins and other natural neurotransmitters that improve your mood. Exercise can also help you refocus your attention on how your body is moving, which can lift your spirits and help you forget about the day’s irritations. Take into account activities that get you moving, such as walking, running, gardening, housecleaning, biking, swimming, weightlifting, or anything else.
3. Do not engage in any unhealthy routines
As a coping mechanism, some people may indulge in excessive caffeine or alcohol consumption, smoking, overeating, or even the use of illicit drugs. The health risks associated with these practises are real.
Maintaining a nutritious diet is a crucial aspect of self-care. Eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and other healthy foods.
4. Minimize phone use and screen time
For many people, smartphones, computers, and tablets are an essential component of daily life.
Even while these gadgets are frequently necessary, overusing them can lead to stress.
Numerous studies have connected high levels of stress and mental health issues with excessive smartphone use and “iPhone addiction.”
In general, excessive screen usage is linked to lower psychological well-being and higher levels of stress in both adults and children.
Additionally, screen use may interfere with sleep, which could elevate stress levels.
5. Daily Meditation Practice
Spend 15 to 30 minutes each morning and evening in meditation. The greatest time to meditate is before a meal. If you can, try to meditate in a peaceful environment, but it’s okay if you can’t. Meditating is not hindered by noise.
Spend about a minute doing nothing but sitting quietly and closing your eyes. There will be thoughts, and that is okay. It is normal to think while you are meditating. After about a minute, begin quietly repeating your mantra internally without moving your tongue or lips in the same natural way that thoughts arise. Till you have finished your meditation, slowly repeat your mantra. If you have any thoughts, quietly repeat your mantra. After you’ve finished your meditation, sit down and relax for a few minutes.
It’s acceptable if your mantra occasionally comes out garbled. Sometimes you might not even be uttering your mantra; instead, it might just be a sense or a feeling, and that’s fine. It’s okay if occasionally all of your thoughts and your chant vanish and all you are aware of is.
During meditation, it’s acceptable to nod off. After a few minutes of sleep, meditate for a while more before waking up and resting for 4-5 minutes.
6. Practice self-care
Making time for self-care each day could help you feel less stressed.
Examples of applications include:
- Walking outside, taking a bath, and lighting candles, reading a nice book, working out, and cooking a nutritious supper, stretching before bed, receiving a massage, engaging in a relaxing activity, and utilising a diffuser filled with calming scents and exercising yoga
A lack of self-care is linked to a higher risk of stress and burnout, according to studies, while those who practise it report reduced stress levels and improved quality of life.
Living a healthy life requires setting aside time for yourself. People who frequently experience high levels of stress, such as nurses, doctors, teachers, and caregivers, should pay particular attention to this.
Self-care doesn’t need to be complicated or elaborate. It simply refers to taking care of your happiness and wellbeing.
It may be very relaxing to be exposed to particular aromas through candles or essential oils.
Here are some calming aromas:
- lavender, rose, vetiver, bergamot, roman chamomile, orange blossom geranium, ylang-ylang, neroli, frankincense, sandalwood, and neroli
Aromatherapy is the practice of using smells to improve mood. Numerous studies indicate that aromatherapy might reduce anxiety and enhance sleep.
7. Spend time in nature and Outdoors
More time spent in nature & outside could help lower stress.
Studies show that being in nature and spending time in green spaces like parks and forests are beneficial strategies to reduce stress.
According to an analysis of 14 studies, college-aged individuals may benefit from spending as little as 10 minutes in a natural environment to improve psychological and physiological markers of mental well-being, such as perceived stress and happiness.
Although hiking and camping are excellent possibilities, some people don’t like them or don’t have access to them. You can look for green areas like neighbourhood parks, arboretums, and botanical gardens even if you reside in a city.
8. Try yoga
Yoga is a well-liked method of reducing stress thanks to its array of positions and controlled breathing techniques. Yoga combines mental and physical disciplines, which could aid in achieving body and mind harmony. You can control your tension and anxiety by practising yoga.
You may find courses in most areas, or you can try yoga on your own. Due to its slower tempo and simpler motions, hatha yoga in particular is effective for reducing stress.
9. Get enough sleep
You may have problems falling asleep due to stress. Your ability to sleep can deteriorate if you have too much to accomplish and think about. However, while you sleep, your body and brain are rejuvenated.
Additionally, the calibre and quantity of sleep you obtain might have an impact on your mood, level of energy, attention, and general functioning. If you struggle to fall asleep, make sure you follow a regular schedule, listen to peaceful music before bed, and put your clocks away.
10. Spend time with family and friends
You might benefit from the social support of friends and family to get through difficult times and deal with stress.
Your total mental health depends on the strength of your social support network. Social support groups could be useful if you’re feeling lonely and don’t have friends or family to rely on. Think about joining a club, a sports team, or volunteering for an organisation that matters to you.
11. Learn to say ‘NO’ and Create boundaries
Some pressures are out of your control, but not all of them. Overcommitting yourself could result in a higher stress level and less time available for self-care.
Being in charge of your personal life can help you feel less stressed and safeguard your mental health.
Saying “no” more frequently might be one method to do this. This is particularly important to remember if you frequently take on more than you can manage because juggling multiple obligations might make you feel overburdened.
Stress levels can be decreased by being cautious about what you take on and saying “no” to things that would unnecessarily add to your workload.
Additionally, setting boundaries is a smart method to safeguard your well-being, particularly with those that increase your stress levels. Simply asking a friend or family member not to drop by unexpectedly or canceling standing plans with a friend who tends to stir up trouble will accomplish this.
12. Keep a record
Putting your ideas and feelings into writing might help you let go of otherwise bottled-up emotions. Don’t consider what to write; simply let it come to you. Whatever comes to mind, write it. You don’t need anyone else to read it, so don’t worry about spelling or punctuation.
Just let your ideas flow onto a piece of paper or a computer screen. When you’re through, you can either throw away what you wrote or store it for further thought.
13. Be present and mindful
Practice mindfulness is the last strategy that has been shown to be effective in reducing the negative effects of stress and strain on the body and the mind. Although many people mistakenly believe that this is just simple meditation, mindfulness is much more than that. Being mindful allows you to pay attention to the present and your breathing while also becoming much more aware of your feelings. When it comes to managing anxiety, this is quite beneficial.
Although stress is an inevitable aspect of life, it can have negative effects on your physical and emotional well-being if it persists. Fortunately, there are a number of scientifically supported techniques that can help you lower stress and enhance your overall psychological health. Effective strategies include exercise, mindfulness, spending time with a pet, reducing screen time, and spending more time outside.
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