April is National Stress Awareness Month and as many of us already know, life can be stressful! Sometimes you aren’t able to take that expensive, yet well earned vacation somewhere far from your regular life stressors. So here are a few things you can do in the comfort of your own home and locally, to reduce your stress.
1. Exercise
Exercise reduces the levels of stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol in your body. This serves as a great tool for not only your physical well-being, but your mental and emotional health as well.
Not able to get away from the children long enough to hit the gym? Take the kids to a park near you!
2. Yoga
Yoga helps center your mind to reduce stress, lower blood pressure and lower your heart rate. There are a number of local yoga classes available, but you can also do it for free, right in the comfort of your own home!
3. Talk to someone
Talking to someone about your problems can be very liberating. Not only does it help you sort through your own emotions, but you could gain some very helpful insight from the listener. Meet up with someone you trust at a local coffee shop to talk. Just make sure you treat them for being your personal therapist for the hour.
4. Creative outlet
Although it may seem difficult to focus your attention on something that requires creativity when you’re stressed, engaging in a creative activity can actually help relieve your stress greatly. You don’t have to be “good” at it to enjoy it. Focus your energy to something that will make you happy when you’ve finished.
5. Socialize & laugh
There are studies that show laughter may indeed be the best medicine. Visit a local comedy club with some loved ones, this will be sure to lift the stress off of you, even if only for the night.
