10 Tips For Reducing Stress

Stress can be extremely debilitating, and it’s important to get your stress under control before it takes over. In the midst of everyday activities such as college and/or work, it’s easy for stress to build up. If you’re someone who struggles with this, try these 10 tips for reducing stress and making your life a little easier.

1. Connect

It may be easier said than done, but connecting with friends and family is super important when it comes to your daily life. If you’ve recently graduated college, you may find it difficult to keep in touch with the friends you’ve made along the way. Many people have the mentality, “if they wanted to reach out to me, they would.” Instead of following this, be the one to reach out! You never know who may be thinking about you and wondering what you’re up to. Alternatively, if you’ve got a tight-knit group of friends, you should always set aside time to make plans with them. There are shared calendars in the app store that will allow you and your friends to see when each person is free. 

2. Exercise

Another integral part of reducing stress is to get out and exercise! Exercise may be difficult at first, but finding the motivation and sticking to a schedule will help you get on track in no time. Exercise may look different for everyone. Whether you want to hit the gym or simply go for a walk, exercise works wonder to pump endorphins through your brain and will leave you feeling achieved and accomplished. Additionally, getting a little bit of exercise everyday will help you sleep better, as you’re likely to feel more exhausted afterwards.

3. Journaling

With a constant cycle of school, work, or both, it can be difficult to make time for yourself. If you find yourself holding in a lot of feelings at the end of the day, try picking up journaling. Journaling can look different for everyone, and there’s no right way to do it! You can keep a bullet journal to help lay out your days, or you can even keep a personal journal to write in. There are various prompts you can find online, or you can even get a journal that will provide you with the actual prompts. If you’re into art and film, consider starting a journal that caters to those interests. You can try to draw something new everyday, or you can log and review your favorite films. Regardless, journaling is a great way to clear your head!

4. Get Outside

It can be easy to find yourself remaining indoors all day. However, getting outside in the sun, even if just for a few minutes, can work wonders in reducing your stress. Being surrounded by nature and other living things will help you to feel relaxed, calm, and inspired. With spring right around the corner, seeing all the gorgeous colors of the flowers will likely improve your mood in significant ways. Whether you’re going on a walk or soaking in the sun and getting some vitamin D, there’s no downside to getting outside.

5. Maintain A Schedule

Rather than keeping mental notes of everything you need to do, try maintaining a solid schedule to stick to. I personally love to use Google Calendar on my phone. You can color-coordinate different event entries, set them for certain times, and even have your phone remind you of an important event. Simply having something organized to look at before starting your day will help you clear your head and stick to a routine. This is also helpful in terms of certain projects you may need to get done at a specific time.

6. Healthy Meals

As amazing as junk food can be, learning healthy recipes and creating them can give you a sense of reward and satisfaction. Healthy foods are likely to include more of the essential nutrients that you need on a daily basis to give you an ample amount of energy, as opposed to greasier options. You’ll also save money by creating your own healthy meals rather than ordering takeout. There are various websites you can find online for inspiration, but Allrecipes is a great place to start.

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7. Self-Care Days

Self-care days can work wonders in reducing stress, and you need to make time for them! If you aren’t sure what to do on a self-care day, check out one of my previous articles to get some ideas. Self-care can range from soaking in a relaxing bath to simply cozying up and watching a movie. Regardless, it’s important to make time for yourself by doing what makes you feel good. This can be a hobby you enjoy, or it can even be a quick nap to help you feel refreshed. Self-care is all about coming back down to earth and remembering that this is the only life you have.

8. Music

Music works in amazing ways to bring us the extra serotonin we need. A great way to compile your music together for different vibes is to make playlists. You could make a playlist specifically for relaxation, or you could make a playlist for motivation. If you have Spotify, consider checking out your ‘Discover Weekly’ playlist for new music curated by Spotify based on the music you currently listen to. You’ll be able to find new artists and music you’ve never heard before. The possibilities are truly endless, but one thing is certain – music is an important part of life.

9. Consistent Sleep

When it comes to busy days, it can be difficult to stick to a sleep schedule. However, try figuring out a realistic time that works for you and go to bed at that same time every night. It helps to unplug and disconnect from electronics at least 30 minutes before you go to bed; that way, you won’t feel the temptation to pick up your phone. Going to bed at the same time each night will help you fall into a healthy pattern that will ensure that you’re getting the proper amount of sleep. Stress can take a toll on us, but sleep can help us recover.

10. Vitamins

Since your body isn’t always receiving the proper amount of nutrients it needs to help you deal with things like energy and stress, consider taking vitamin supplements. The Healthline website has a list of vitamins that specifically target stress, along with their pros and cons. It’s important to do your research, but generally speaking, vitamins like B1, D, and magnesium can help improve your mood, enhance your sleep, and generally reduce your overall stress levels. You can also get bloodwork done to really find out what you’re lacking in.

How will you use our list to reduce your stress? Comment with your favorite methods!

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