The word ‘Stress’ has become a part of our day-to-day jargon. And honestly, people often don’t know what is stress. Stress, in reality, is our natural response to a perceived threat. Our body reacts to every situation in two ways i.e. fight or flight. It is a state of mental or emotional strain that results from the perception of a situation. Having stress is a normal response that every individual experiences in a given situation.
The problem arises only when too much stress or chronic stress starts to have a negative impact on your mental and physical health. In the rat race to be at the top of everything, may it be office, school or any other field, we actually forget that the sole purpose of being at the pinnacle of success is to bring peace and satisfaction and not mental or physical trauma.
Individuals and society as a whole need to understand the importance of destressing to lead a healthier and happier life. Chronic stress can lead to many health-related issues such as heart disease, anxiety and depression. It’s time to prioritise our mental health and make destressing a part of our daily routine. Remember, self-care is not a luxury, it’s a necessity.
Our ancient scriptures known as Vedas and Upanishads mention the art of destressing many times. They contain several teachings and techniques for relaxation and calming our minds. These methods bring inner peace, emotional stability and peace to the soul. Learning these methods is not difficult, incorporating them into your daily routine and practising them with determination is what takes effort.
Take small steps. Every minute that you spend in self-care, is a minute well spent. Follow these basic techniques and gradually you will see changes in your health as well as mental well-being.
#1 Deep Breathing
Deep breathing is the simplest way of relieving instant stress and anxiety. Concentrate on your breathing. Inhale and exhale. Take deep breaths in through your nose, fill your lungs with air and slowly exhale through your mouth. Focus on breathing, this will take your mind into a state of relaxation. Deep breathing can be practised anywhere. Find a comfortable place to sit, close your eyes and start deep breathing.
#2 Practice Yoga
People often confuse yoga with making postures. There is more to yoga than just doing some positions. The actual meaning of yoga is ‘Union’. Our ancient scriptures describe yoga as an integration of mind, body and spirit to reach a state of unity with the universe. Practising yoga on a daily basis enhances the overall immune system and also helps in reducing the symptoms of anxiety and depression.
#3 Connect With Nature
Nature is a powerful tool when it comes to de-stressing. Just spending a few minutes in the lap of nature can have a positive impact on your physical and mental well-being. Take a walk, hike or practice yoga in the greenery to relax or unwind. Take some time out to appreciate the beauty of nature and focus on the sense that surrounds nature, like the sound of birds chirping, the wind blowing or sunrise. Walk barefoot on the grass. Feel nature from within for instant elevation in your mood.
#4 Practice Mindfulness
Mindfulness means living in the present, without any judgment and not worrying about the past or the future. Mindfulness can be applied to even the smallest things in your day-to-day life such as eating, drinking, walking etc. The aim is to stop dwelling or worrying about the past as what has happened can’t be changed and also stop being afraid about the future as it is unpredictable.
Mindfulness is about being aware of where we are or what we are and not being overly sensitive to what is going on around us. It encompasses being attentive to our thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations in a non-judgemental way.
#5 Meditation
Our ancient scriptures define meditation as a tool to attain a deep understanding of the pious and sacred forces of life. Now, it is used to restore inner peace. Mediation helps in streamlining the jumbled and overpowering thoughts to bring a state of tranquility to the mind and body. Spending a few minutes for meditation on a daily basis can help increase self-awareness and reduce negative thoughts. Meditation is also very effective in sleep disorders.
#6 Break Free
Take a break from whatever is causing stress to you. It’s okay if it is not for days. Even a few hours can do wonders. Engage yourself in activities that you like. Read a book, listen to music or draw a picture. Also, try to get away from social media for some time. Too much exposure to social media can be overwhelming. The urge to make constant updates, keep a tab on the likes, taking in all the negative comments can have an adverse effect on the overall physical and mental well-being.
Remember, happiness comes from within. It can be found in the tiniest of things. A jobless person may be happier than a millionaire. A healthy body leads to a healthy mind. Self-love is not being selfish. Everybody deserves happiness and inner peace. Our Vedas and Upnishads are full of effective methods that are being used all over the world now. All you need is to take the first step.
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