15 Healthy Ways to Nix Stress

Common sense and scientific research indicates that reducing your stress level makes you feel happier right now, and may protect your health in the long run. 

Updated 5/16/2023

A recent study of young adults (ages 17-30) shows life satisfaction prevents inflammation, builds resilience to inflection, and can motivate you to stay on track with your eating plan, exercise, and other elements of a healthy lifestyle. 

Another piece of good news is negative effects of stress can be kept in check or even reduced, no matter what age you are today.

I suggest you pace yourself and adopt one or two of the techniques listed below at a time. Each is valuable, and helps you get off to a good start in improving overall well-being.

15 Healthy Ways to Nix Stress

1. Develop or revisit a hobby today. Play an instrument, crochet, garden, line up a game of tennis or chess, sing in a chorus, or dance up a storm.

2. Incorporate relaxing activities into your weekly schedule. Reach out to a pal for a phone chat, meet your BFF and sip a cup of chamomile or lavender tea, or pamper yourself with a haircut, bubble bath, or pedicure.

3. Change your attitude about exercise. 

Instead of thinking of exercise as a drudge, think of it as a  health elixir. When you get at least 30 minutes of exercise per day, it reduces stress, conditions your heart, lifts mood, prevents common diseases like high blood pressure, and helps you work  and play with more energy and joy. 

Make your conditioning routine a combination of strength training, stretching, and aerobic workouts.

Exercise keeps your body and mind strong, flexible, and energized!

Get moving by running, hiking, biking, walking, or window shopping. 

Line up an exercise partner to complete daily errands, walk outdoors in nature, or meet up at the gym or local Y, and combine a self-care practice with a social one.

4. Collect memorabilia that warms your heart, whether it’s stamps, pottery, coins, crystals, or CD’s, but don’t hoard. Delight in what you’re doing, without building up clutter.

5. Organize your belongings. See Organizing Rooms and Routines More Quickly and Effectively from Susan at Organized 31. An organized home prevents you from feeling overwhelmed, and eliminates stress of searching for misplaced items.

6. Focus on meeting your work needs, making progress on projects, and checking off that to-do list one check at a time. 

Say "no" to distractions and postpone things you do for others, until you've accomplished your goal for the day. 

Make yourself your first priority. When you accomplish what you set out to do, you wind up having more to give to others.

7. Carve out time to connect with your inner self. Prayer, meditation, 12 step programs, inspiring books, religious or spiritual activities, and devotional practices including chanting and tai chi help support, comfort, and calm you.

8. Attend the ballet, opera, or a poetry reading.  Dispel negative energy by taking in beauty, and possibly spark inspiration for your own creativity to bloom.

See an art film, visit a museum, art gallery, concert, or theater to enrich your life and release the cares of the day.

9. Cultivate self-compassion and give yourself a break. When you slip up or make errors in judgment, treat yourself as you would a beloved child. 

Soothe that vulnerable place inside you, admit that you're part of the human race, and give yourself unconditional love.

10. Write in a gratitude journal. Studies show the act of physically writing down what you’re grateful for, helps to solidify it in your mind. Build up a log of things you’re thankful for, and refer back to it, on days when you’re feeling low.

11. Spend social time with people who are kind, respectful, and have a positive outlook. Creating a nurturing, low-key home and social life makes you feel encouraged, loved, loving, and relaxed.

12. Prevent a financial crisis by making and keeping to a budget. Review often to stay financially solvent.

Start today to simplify spending, live within your means, and reduce the amount of financial responsibilities you take on so you'll sleep better at night. 

If you don’t know how or can’t do this alone, consult with a financial planner, organizational expert, or therapist. 

13. Visualize aquamarine and aqua to nip stress in the bud. Let these green-blue colors calm mind, body, and spirit, promote smooth communication, and relax eyes. 

Softly gaze at pictures of an ocean, river, or the horizon, or get out in nature to see aquamarine and aqua. Colors of the sky and sea help you feel more expansive and tranquil.

14. Recite affirmations. Affirmations are declarative statements confirming something is already a reality in your life. Affirm the ones below and see how fast that relaxes you.

    

15. Be good to yourself by sprucing up your home or apartment. It can be as simple as refinishing vintage finds or dusting off stuff from your attic or basement like an old mirror, bookcase, or lamp. 

Repurpose décor by painting it pale blue, soft green, or lavender. Being active and productive is healthy, and seeing these colors in your living space makes you both more relaxed and refreshed.

There are many ways to nix stress. Take as many of the ideas from this post as you like, but don't forget to comment. 

What stress reduction techniques work for you? 

What do you still need to work on?

What healthy habits help reduce stress for you? Please share.

Please no links in your comment as it won't be published that way. Thanks for understanding.

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