Overthinking causes greater amounts of stress. It is essential to keep your mind free from too many thoughts. Overthinking leads to greater imbalances within the body as it nudges the stress receptors increasing your anxiety level. It is necessary to keep the stress receptors under control. Since most of us are working from home, there might be various circumstances where one feels low. Here are some tips to restore yourself during these stressful times.
One thing at a time
Whenever you start something, always remember to take only one task at a time. Too many things on the desk increase your anxiety level leading to higher risks in the body. Draw a timetable and set achievable time limits so that your brain doesn’t feel burdened. Ensure that your schedule has enough time slots for short breaks. Engage yourself in stretching and moving a little bit in between work time to prevent other bodily distress. You can also create a checklist to keep up the excitement of little achievements.
Researches have shown that people who reward themselves with small self gifts or delights perform far better than the ones who don’t. They also maintain a stress-free environment around themselves. The bonuses with this way of working are it helps you remember things in a better manner, more work gets done in less time, more attention, and your brain works smarter than just harder.
Get some fresh air
You must have always heard that when stress surrounds you, you must get some fresh air. Going out for a walk and enjoying the fresh breeze on your face and hair pushes the stress out of your system. Go to your balcony or terrace and enjoy the same fresh air.
A study published by Harvard Business Review found that “Breathing better air led to significantly better decision-making performance.” Stagnant air makes you lazy, and the productivity of work reduces. Conscious breathing helps you gain control over your mind and body. You can choose a place or can also start on your chair itself.
Breath, let the airflow in and out with mindfulness. It helps you to reduce the stress levels immediately without much effort or equipment. If you cannot go out for a walk, use your home’s floor for the same purpose. Walking barefoot is regarded as beneficial. Studies have shown that when you walk barefoot on any surface, your feet feel the surface, making your brain calm. If you don’t like walking directly on the floor, you can use some furry cloth or mat to enjoy the soft touch of the fur against your feet.
The Water Therapy
Water is the best source for releasing stress from the body. Water not only helps to remove toxins from the body but also helps in relaxing the stiff muscles.
You can go for a hot water bath whenever you feel a little stressed or disturbed. You can enjoy your hot water shower with fragranced soaps or oils. This will stimulate your vagus nerve, keeping it strong can reduce inflammation, anxiety, gut problems, and depression. You can add Epsom salt in the bathwater to enjoy the benefits of calm relaxing baths. Epsom salts are rich in magnesium that helps in relaxing muscles.
Another water therapy that you need to follow as a ritual is drinking a good amount of water every day. Keep a water bottle at a reachable, visible place so that you get reminded of taking a sip now and then.
Laugh Out Loud
Laughter is the best medicine. You must have heard this phrase a lot of times. Doctors recommend not only to laugh, but also to giggle and smile more often. This gives a self positive attitude towards oneself.
When you smile, giggle or laugh, the facial muscles get into action, which further leads to positive receptors into the brain.
A recent psychological research has shown that people who smile more often gather and spread more positivity around themselves. So, what are you waiting for? This “best medicine” is entirely free of cost and is available all the time. If stress gets into your head, take a break from whatever you are thinking or doing, watch a funny video and laugh to your heart’s fullest.
Talk it out
One of the best solutions, according to psychologists and psychiatrists, is to talk your feelings out. When one undergoes unwanted thoughts or a sudden stream of disapproval, then there are greater chances of losing one’s self-control. It is not necessary for you to find a therapist; you can always call a friend. If you don’t find anyone you trust or can talk out to, you should put your thoughts on a piece of paper. There is no requirement of rereading it. You felt it, you wrote it, that’s it!
The human brain, somehow, needs to take the thoughts filled inside it, out. That’s why experts suggest speaking or writing your feelings. This helps to calm down the brain from the anger and constant stress it has filled itself with. Talking about how you are feeling enables you to understand your thought processes too. Gradually, you understand why you react the way you do.
The Takeaway
You can put the above-mentioned suggestions into actions. Reflect upon it to find out how you felt after every action.
Always remember, life is a journey you need to find new aspirations to. Understand yourself and enjoy the journey to the fullest.
Stay positive! Stay safe!
