5 Natural Ways To Reduce Your Stress Level

We all deal with stress at some point in our lives. It can come from various sources – work, family or financial crisis. Stress is your body’s response to a situation that puts pressure on you, whether it's physical, mental or emotional. Sometimes stress can be helpful by heightening your awareness or improving concentration. However, a prolonged feeling of stress can be harmful and is best removed.

Let’s shine some light on the eight ways you can reduce stress.

# Meditate to lower stress levels

Meditation is a way to calm your mind. Different people have different ways to meditate. Saying a phrase in your mind on loop as you take deep breaths, chanting, practising moments of silence, and positive thinking, are great starting points for meditation. Simply paying attention to the senses – sight, taste, smell, and touch, can also bring you inner peace. Meditation helps you focus on the present and gets you into a calm state to make the correct decision and maintain that calmness and focus with a lasting effect.

# Take a nature's walk

Walking is a great form of physical exercise. It also allows you a change in scenery and gets you out of your home. This can help you achieve a better frame of mind. Take a look at people around you, the trees, animals, and the sky. Even experiencing the sunny weather can get you in a better mood and a clear mind.

# Hugging a loved one

When you hug your loved one, a hormone called oxytocin (the cuddle hormone) is released. This can increase happiness and reduce levels of stress. It can also help you feel more appreciative of those around you.

# Let your creativity flow

Research shows that something as simple as colouring in a colour book can be therapeutic. Whether you decide to draw, paint, colour or sketch, it will help lower your stress levels and get you in a better frame of mind.

# Eating a balanced diet

What you eat is how your body feels. It is crucial to give our body the nutrients it needs for it to not just survive but thrive. A poor diet contributes to a weaker immune system and an inability to fight stress. One can always make simple and easy choices to maintain a clean and balanced diet. Avoiding sugar in food and drinks, switching from refined cooking oil to healthier options, and avoiding junk food are some easy habits to maintain for lowering stress levels naturally.

# Practice yoga for a calmer mind

Yoga is a great combination of exercise, movement, mediation, and controlled breathing. It is a great habit to maintain a calm state of mind as is great at relieving stress.