DOLCE LIFESTYLE:
10 Easy Ways to Reduce Stress Quickly
by Samantha Coogan, MS, RDN, LD
1. Go for a walk.
Take a buddy, pet, or use it as time to sit with your own thoughts.
2. Breathe!
Take some time each day to do some breathing exercises and/or meditate. Life isn’t that serious!
3. Laugh!
Laughing is very healthy for overall longevity. If things in your day don’t naturally make you laugh, set aside 5 minutes a day to listen to a comedian, go to the “Humor” section of Pinterest, or talk with your funniest friend/family member.
4. Let go of what you can’t control, and focus on what you can.
What good does worrying do? It won’t change the outcome, and it keeps you from enjoying the present.
5. Get more sleep.
Waking up feeling refreshed can help regulate your hormones and keep your body on a healthy rhythm.
6. Talk it out.
Don’t let things build up and hold everything inside. Confide in a close friend or family member, or even seek out the help of a professional if need be.
7. Hug it out!
Sometimes just the touch of another human being, or even an animal, can instantly lower your stress levels. Why do you think it’s so important for moms to hold their babies closely?
8. Think about all the good times.
Remember the good and strive to keep adding to those good memories, just don’t get lost there and stay there. Keep moving forward!
9. Smile!
Sometimes you can turn around a person’s bad day, even a stranger, just by offering up this simple gesture. You’ll reap the benefits of giving back, and that person will know that someone in their day cares. Plus, positivity is contagious!
10. Find the good in each situation.
Maybe you lost your job. It may not seem like the ideal situation, but you can use that time to start new, healthy hobbies or improve upon your resume and gain valuable experience to be where you want to be. Remember, not every loss is truly a loss, sometimes it’s a gain.
