We’re only a couple of months into 2023, but it already feels like a chaotic and overwhelming year due to the daily news cycle. Doom-scrolling through Twitter has gotten even worse after Elon Musk massacred the site, and it just doesn’t seem like there is an escape from the gloom that has become 21st-century living!
So, if you want a distraction from the pressures of the cost of living or constant arguing online, we have five top tips for you to unwind from the stresses of everyday life!
Disconnecting from Social Media
It may seem like an obvious solution, but disconnecting from social media is impossible for many. Whether we use social media to communicate or need to stay on top of the latest trends for work, it feels like we cannot escape it even if we want to!
Taking time away from social media can introduce a new perspective into your everyday life that may help you de-stress. Whilst you may feel obliged to keep up with the news, setting limits on how much you consume on Twitter every day is vital to aiding your mental health. Engaging in fewer debates and online arguments is also essential to de-stressing.
If you take the evenings after work to enjoy something else, you may see an improvement in your stress levels. Spending time with family/friends or engaging in long-forgotten hobbies left to the wayside due to your spending time on social media is a great way to recover some sense of self and find enjoyment in a world that feels increasingly chaotic.
Connecting with Nature
Human beings are not designed to spend time staring at screens. Whilst it has fast become the way of the world, you need to spend some time in nature. Whether going for a jog for 15 minutes on a Sunday morning or seeing some of the most beautiful places the UK has to offer outside of London, having an appreciation for the countryside can give you much-needed peace of mind.
Breathing fresh, clean air raises the oxygen levels in your brain, which increases serotonin (your happy chemicals), making you feel better. Not only this but taking some time in the countryside gives you a wider appreciation for the world we are living in.
Meditation and Massage
Whilst these may not work for everybody, meditating or receiving a massage can help reduce stress. Both allow you to relax and control your breathing, lessening stress and anxiety. Taking time out to meditate during your day can give you the space for yourself that often feels like a struggle to have.
A massage has additional benefits to your muscle and blood flow that help with movement and intimacy in your life. There are a variety of types of massages that can help with more specific issues, from stress to sensuality. So if you are looking for a tantric massage London has plenty of agencies, or if you want to join a yoga class to give your relaxation a sense of purpose, there are plenty of options for this form of relaxation.
Practising Affirmations
It is incredibly easy to focus on the negative aspects of life. After all, your problems are more likely to consume your brain than the positives, especially if you struggle with anxiety. Practising affirmations is a great way to re-centre your thought processes to prevent stress and focus on the positives in your life.
Write down everything you are grateful for or positives about yourself. Whilst you are in a stressed mindset, it can be challenging to think this way, but practising what you’re thankful for is a crucial way to find perspective on your issues and help manage your stress. For an extra boost, consider taking some amanita muscaria gummies to help reduce stress and bring a sense of calmness and clarity.
Eating a Healthy Diet
Cooking and diet feed into one helpful solution here. Eating the right foods with the proper nutrients, such as sweet potatoes, eggs or blueberries, can help relieve stress. Sweet potato lowers the levels of the stress hormone cortisol, whilst eggs are packed with all sorts of good stuff for our body with minerals, amino acids and antioxidants.
Preparing proper meals with various foods you can enjoy is a great way to unwind and concentrate on something else that isn’t the daily news cycle.
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Whilst these are all designed to be helpful suggestions, they are only a few. Stress impacts people differently, so specific solutions work better for certain individuals. Knowing when your anxiety is getting out of hand and negatively affecting you and the people in your life is when you should begin addressing your stress levels.
If your stress and anxiety are reaching worrying levels, reach out to your doctor, a therapist or charities such as Mind to try and help you regain positive mental health.
