Virily Editor
Sometimes, it feels like everything is just crashing down on you, and nothing helps. Maybe you have a tight deadline at work, or you’ve had an argument with a loved one and don’t know how to address it; perhaps you’ve just received the bad news that you’re struggling to process.
While it’s not always possible to avoid stress, it’s important that you reduce it: stress affects every part of your body and can lead to serious health effects down the line. Having a calm and positive mindset will do wonders for your overall well-being, and it’s not out of reach, either. No matter what you’re facing, these simple tips can help you calm down and feel more comfortable.
Practice Box Breathing
When we’re upset, we tend to take short, fast breaths that speed up our heart rate and get the adrenaline pumping, which is the last thing you need when trying to calm down. Instead, practice box breathing: breathe in for four counts, hold for four counts, and then breathe out for four counts. This helps to oxygenate your blood, helping you think more clearly and feel more relaxed.
Clean Your Face
There’s no easier way to get a fresh outlook on what’s happening than to freshen up. You don’t need to spend hours primping and preening when you’re upset: even rinsing your face can help you feel calmer, and it will also help wake you up so you have a clearer mind.
Use a gentle, well-formulated face cleanser that lifts the dirt and oils from your face, and notice the difference. Plus, with regular cleansing, your skin will feel softer and youthful-looking, helping to improve your confidence too!
Notice Three Nice Things Around You
When we’re stressed, we tend to dwell on the negatives and feel like everything is terrible, but this just makes us more pessimistic and angry. Instead, take a few moments and look around, identifying three things that you like. Maybe there’s a beautiful scene outside of your window, or perhaps a coworker has an incredibly lovely bag that you’ve never taken the time to examine before. When you’re able to see the good in your circumstances, it will help you feel more optimistic.
Get a Workout In
Physical activity improves your mental health because it releases endorphins that help you feel better, improving mental clarity and ensuring you feel more capable of handling the situation at hand. You don’t need to spend hours pushing yourself at the gym, either: even just five minutes of jumping jacks, a fast-paced walk, or some pushups can give you that much-needed hit of energy.
Compliment Someone
Making other people feel better often makes you feel better, too. It lets you look at the bright side of things, and it also strengthens connections between you and those around you.
If you’re having a hard day, stop and take the time to thank someone for their hard work, or compliment them on their handbag or shoes. For example, if your flight was canceled and the attendant is helping you reschedule, stop and say that you appreciate their help. Not only will they be more willing to help you, but it will serve as a mood boost for you as well.
Spend Time Outside
Nature has a healing effect on everyone; fortunately, it’s also all around us, too. Even in the most crowded city, you can find trees growing, a nice fountain, or birds flying by. Take five minutes and head outside to look up at the sky, or admire the way the rain is falling.
If it’s too cold out or you’re stuck in the office, you can simply walk over to the window and take a look out to help center yourself. Maybe you’ve never noticed the flowers growing in the garden outside, or the sunset is particularly spectacular. It won’t make your problems go away, but it will help remind you that there are beautiful things in the world.
Engage in Positive Self-Talk
A lot of us are very hard on ourselves and criticize ourselves for every little mistake, but this just degrades your self-esteem over time and makes it harder to solve your problems. Instead, talk to yourself as you might a friend, encouraging yourself and acknowledging that you’re trying your best. Self-compassion is the key to confidence, and confidence can make anything seem possible.
Final Thoughts
All of us endure stress every day, whether we realize it or not, and it can seriously impact our health and happiness over time. Fortunately, there are easy and cheap ways to manage day-to-day stresses that take little effort or time. Taking care of your physical and mental health can do wonders for your mood and help you be more effective in all arenas of your life, no matter what comes your way.
