Stress is the root cause of several ailments. It can hinder the functioning of your immune system and mess up your digestive system. Too much stress can worsen skin conditions and rob you of your precious sleep.
As much as it brings about some welcome sunshine, the summer also brings with it a wave of stress triggers. Planning your vacation and anxiety over everything going according to plan can bring up your stress levels. Summer can be a time jam-packed with activities, and this season’s busy schedule can easily lead to stress. If the activities continue into the wee hours for consecutive days, sleep deprivation can also impact your mood.
How can you avoid these harmful effects and the toll they can take on your health?
Take Care of Your Body
Exercise has been proven to be an effective tool in combating stress. If you engage in aerobic exercise regularly, you will boost your heart rate, strengthen your muscles and, most importantly, fight off the anxiety building up in your mind. Swimming, cycling, jogging or even an hour playing your preferred sport will reduce your levels of adrenaline and cortisol, the body’s stress-inducing hormones. Such activities also release endorphins, the hormones that naturally elevate your mood, making you feel happy and relaxed.
When you put in your exercise quota, you will find it easier to fall asleep at night. Sleep itself has a role to play in combating stress. What you eat also contributes to the amount of stress you experience. Some foods will add to your stress, and others can lower it.
Researchers have found that people who ingested vitamin C had lower cortisol levels than those who didn’t. You can boost your vitamin intake by adding citrus fruits and berries to your diet. Immune system gummy vitamins and other supplements will cut down stress while restoring immunity.
Plan Ahead
Your summer vacation will be more enjoyable and relaxing if you make all the necessary arrangements well in advance. Even while fresh from your previous vacation, you can begin narrowing down your list of possible locations for your next getaway. Next, you need to decide on the duration of your vacay. If you need to schedule your leave days to accommodate your days or weeks away, do so in good time.
Booking your airline ticket in off-peak months can see you save hundreds of dollars while offloading another possible stress trigger from your mind. As you begin to make hotel bookings and travel arrangements, be sure to consider every tiny detail. Will you be able to take your dog? If not, where will you leave him? Be sure you get the proper clothing and other necessary gear, including sunscreen.
Declutter Your Space
Clearing up your living space can positively affect your outlook, lowering your stress levels. With fewer items clogging up your rooms, you will be able to keep them clean without too much hassle. Getting your house organized and in a condition to receive guests will become less of a cause for anxiety.
Debt is one of the leading causes of stress in adults around the world. Owning less means getting into less credit card debt for items you don’t necessarily need. Getting rid of the unnecessary extras will allow you to enjoy more of your paycheck and improve your mental health. Being able to save more and be better prepared in the event of any emergency will also add to your peace of mind.
Prioritize Mental Health
Take the time to do activities that will release the endorphins in your system and foster a positive outlook on life. At the beginning of the day, you can set aside half an hour for exercise, meditation, or any other rituals that make you feel good about yourself. Take a cup of your favorite pick-me-up before you begin your daily grind.
You can also take a step back from your usual routine to do something that will help you decompress. Go and see a movie or meet up with a friend for a couple of laughs. A day away from your email and social media can help you reset and return your focus to the things that matter.
Get Enough Sleep
When you’re genuinely stressed, you will find it difficult to fall asleep. When you’re not well-rested, you will be more prone to becoming stressed. Health experts say that you need to get at least seven hours of sleep every day to avoid stress, low mental alertness, and the other adverse effects of inadequate sleep.
Summer’s Gift
The best way you can reward yourself after a challenging year’s work is to relax and recuperate fully. Avoid anything that will interfere with your R&R and make you feel overwhelmed. Do all you can to prioritize your wellbeing.
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