6 Tips for Relieving Mental Stress and Anxiety

Mental stress is the preoccupation with worries and fears that lead to anxiety and other psychological and physical conditions. It is the inability to turn your mind off when it is time to sleep. It is the worry about something out of your control that causes you to freeze or isolate yourself. It is the fears behind the what-if questions.

6 Tips for Relieving Mental Stress and Anxiety

When mental stress gets out of control, the anxiety can derail your daily schedule and relationships. You can take control over your mental stress. Try a few of the following tips for relieving mental stress and anxiety.

Get up and move.

A powerful anti-anxiety medication is exercise. Endorphins and other brain chemicals are released when you get up and move more consistently, leaving you feeling happy and thinking clearer. The tension in your muscles dissipates as you fill with confidence. You feel on top of the world after a good workout session. Aim for 30 to 60 minutes of moderate-intensity activity weekly to reap the benefits. Even a brisk 10-minute walk when you are short on time can help.

Pause and stretch.

Those tense muscles, combined with anxiety, headaches, and stomachaches, can leave you feeling drained and irritable. Instead of going to bed, try a stretching video. Stretching increases serotonin, another brain chemical that regulates mood. You can find stretching videos online or consider taking a local class to learn about proper form. Regular stretching practice is the best way to manage mental stress.

Eat healthier meals.

The foods you eat play a major role in how you feel. Sugar-laden and fatty foods can leave you feeling sluggish and stressed. Instead of reaching for junk food or pulling into a drive-through, learn to menu plan and make healthy meals at home. This way, you know what ingredients go into your meals. You might be surprised at the difference just one week of home-cooked nutritious meals makes in your mood and stress levels.

Watch something funny.

Those brain chemicals are God’s answer to anti-anxiety drugs, and you can tap into that by watching something funny. Find a favorite (or a new-to-you favorite) comedy. When you laugh, your entire body relaxes as endorphins are released. You smile. Laughter is a natural mood booster. Invite a friend over and have a comedy marathon. You might feel like a different person after a couple of hours.

Call a friend.

Sometimes, only a good rant will work. Call or invite a trusted friend over and share what is bothering you. You may want to let them know what you want from them. Do you just want them to listen and commiserate while you work things out? Do you want their advice on how to move forward?

Try to stay open-minded if you ask for advice. Sometimes, the best advice is the one that is hard to hear. Consider each piece of advice before implementing it. If you need to call more than one person in your circle.

Ask for help.

Asking for help is a sign of strength. You know life is more than reliving or agonizing over your fears and worries. A Christian counselor can suggest more methods for relieving mental stress and introduce you to beneficial coping mechanisms. Contact our office today to schedule your initial assessment with a Christian counselor. Today is the day to take the first step toward healing.