There comes the point when life just becomes too much! Stress is something that everyone has experienced at least once in their lives — whether it be because of their work, school, or interactions with other people. But just because it is a common phenomenon doesn’t mean it’s healthy.
Stress, when excessive, can lead to many health issues. That’s why each person must know how to manage stress. That’s where hobbies, relaxation, and pastimes come in. For most people, they spend five days every week doing work or going to school. We only have two days a week to rest, so we should make the most out of it. Here are some stress-relieving activities to try.
Take a walk
We spend most of our week sitting on an office chair, in front of a desk, and working on a computer. Not only is it physically unhealthy, but it also keeps us from undertaking relaxing and therapeutic physical activities.
Long walks will help you remain physically active and give your body the exercise it needs. It’s also a great way to relieve stress. During the weekends, take a long walk to help keep yourself grounded. Even just 30 minutes will greatly improve your mood. While doing this, try not to think of work; instead, enjoy the breeze of the wind, the heat of the sun, and the beauty of your view. Other physical activities you can try are jogging, biking, or heading to a yoga retreat center.
Eat sweets
As if doing nothing and lounging on the sofa all weekend isn’t enough of a guilty pressure! As long as you don’t eat too much, sweets can actually help you relieve stress. Sugar in chocolates, candy, cake, etc. has been found to be effective in reducing glucocorticoid, a stress-related hormone. So the next time you eat that dark chocolate bar, you don’t have to feel guilty because you’re doing it to relieve your stress.
Catch up on sleep
You might have a lot of activities you want to try during the weekend, but it would be no good at relieving stress if you don’t get enough sleep. Only 20% of adults say that they are able to get a good quality of sleep. And the reason a lot of don’t do so is because of stress. Consequently, catching up on z’s can significantly improve our moods and well-being. Forgive yourself for oversleeping on weekends – your body needs it.
Hiking
If your walks around the neighborhood start to get boring, why don’t you turn your physical activity up a notch by trying out hiking? Hiking will give you a breath-taking and redeeming experience of being around nature. Nature is naturally comforting and stress-relieving. Plus, gaining new experience will give you a positive thrill that will help turn your attention away from negativity.
Go to a nearby spa
Weekends only last for two days a week, and sometimes it feels like the time is not enough to undertake new activities. If you’re feeling tired or lazy on weekends, you can still relieve stress by pampering yourself!
Treat yourself to a spa day and get a good massage. Massages are known for their benefits in terms of relieving stress and reducing anxiety. This is because it helps our bodies produce the feel-good chemicals of dopamine and serotonin, ultimately triggering calmness and relaxation.
You only get two days a week to relax and forget about work. Use it wisely and try these activities to help relieve stress and redeem your energy.
