What is the one thing almost everyone has in common? Stress. We all live busy lives and strive to juggle it all. Between work, children, and other commitments, it seems like there’s never enough time. Regardless of what your daily schedule entails, we understand that life can be hectic. Here are 10 healthy ways you can reduce stress.
1). Get The Heart Pumping
Cardio is one of the best activities you can do to eliminate stress. Even if you just walk around your neighborhood for 30 minutes, you can drastically improve your cardiovascular system. Incorporating this into your daily routine can promote energy to get you through the day. You might even get rid of those stubborn lingering pounds, resulting in an overall better mood and positive attitude.
2). Sleep Stress Away
This is a hard one, especially for those who work long hours and juggle a family. The reality is that sleep is crucial if you want to reduce your stress. When well rested, you’ll be much more productive throughout the day. So ditch that late time hour of Netfilx, your body will thank you in the morning.
3). Hydrate Yourself
Did you know that you are suppose to drink half your body weight in ounces per day? For example, if you weigh 150lbs, you should be drinking 75 ounces of water per day. Dehydration can cause fatigue, headaches, and tension. If water is hard for you to guzzle down, jazz it up with some lemon slices or fresh herbs.
4). Avoid Caffeine, Alcohol and Nicotine
Eeek! We know this is a hard one. The truth is that these substances are not natural, therefore they can cause hormonal imbalances. When our bodies are imbalanced, we can have mood swings and energy crashes. Even cutting back just a bit can have a drastic impact on your stress levels and overall happiness.
5). Breathing Exercise
Sometimes you just need to take a couple minutes to relax. Making this effort, will put you in a much better mood. Eliminate all distractions, close your eyes, and sit comfortably with your back straight. Breath in through your nose and exhale through your mouth. Try to focus on your breathing and avoid mind racing. For your convenience, here are specific breathing exercises that will help you eliminate stress in 10 minutes.
6). Learn To Say “No”
There’s a stigma that everyone needs to be perfect and able to do it all. The reality is that if you take on too much, you will end up overwhelmed and exhausted. This build up of commitments will inevitably cause stress. Remember, it’s okay to send store bought brownies to your child’s school. It’s okay to order take out when you need the occasional break. It’s okay to tell your boss you have prior commitments. Taking charge of your life will help you get what you truly desire. This will make you a much happier, and stress free person.
7). Accept The Things You Cannot Control
There is just NO way to do it all. Accepting this will give you an unbelievable amount of relief. Take some weight off your shoulders by coming to grips with the fact that you are not in control of everything. Focus on the things you can control, instead of the things that aren’t in your power.
8). Focus On The Positive
Debbie-Downers are always the most miserable. Instead of focusing on all the negative things in your life, take some time to reflect on what you are grateful for. Even if life isn’t going exaclty as you planned, a positive attitude will make you feel much more fulfilled.
9). Make Time For The Things You Love
Sometimes you just need to shut the phone off, and focus on what makes you happy. Put it in your planner if you have to! Make time for the things that make you happy! Even if it’s just for a moment, your day will be better if you make time for something you love.
10). Create A Retreat In Your Own Home
You know we had to throw this one in here for good measure. An outdoor living space can promote an abundant amount of relaxation. Being in the fresh air helps calm the mind and can increase energy levels. A light dose of sunshine will also ensure that you get an adequate amount of vitamin D. Deficiencies can cause exhaustion, which in turn can cause fatigue and irritability. If you want a retreat in your home, an outdoor living space is a great option. Here are some of the patio components we recommend to reduce stress:
- Fire Pit or Fireplace: The warmth of a fire can bring peace and serenity. The crackle of firewood is the perfect background noise for an evening of lounging or reading a book.
- Water Feature: Water creates beautiful natural sounds that calm the soul. You can also install mesmerizing, color-changing, lights.
If you would like to reduce your stress levels, feel free to set up a call with one of our hardscape designers. At Hinkle Hardscapes, we are passionate about the work that we do, and we will happily talk to you about your outdoor living space. Give us a call at (816) 608-8870, or click the button below to schedule a call.
Above: Ken Gibson, Senior Hardscape Designer
Feature Image Courtesy
