Health & Wellness: Reduce Your Stress Levels in 2018

Our world moves at a hectic pace. Stress levels tend to run high and we become exhausted, frustrated, disheartened and even angry. Living this way is not good for your health. The toll it takes can even be deadly. Combatting the stress in your life should be one of your focuses in the New Year. A wonderful way to help reduce stress and improve your health is through calming activities like meditation, yoga, tai chi, mindful walks, even painting.

Meditation is a great way to take some time to have a few moments of calm to help soothe a stressed mind and body. Practicing meditation will help lower blood pressure, reduce tension and anxiety, improve your mood and offers a chance for your mind and body to relax. Using meditation to lower stress levels helps to keep you healthy and centered in your life.

Start practicing meditation by taking a couple of minutes each day to sit quietly and listen to the world around you. As you get used to meditating each day, you can increase the amount of time. Feel yourself becoming more calm, less stressed and more focused as you continue to practice meditation and improve your overall health.

Yoga goes hand in hand with meditation to improve your well-being. Yoga is an ancient practice used to transform the body and mind. It is practiced all over the world and is a good way to recharge your mind and body and lower stress levels. Yoga is also used to help with flexibility and pain management.

Tai chi is another great way to exercise your body while centering your mind and releasing stress. Tai chi was originally developed for self-defense but has become a graceful way to lower stress. Sometimes described as meditation in motion, tai chi uses slow, fluid movements which flow from one pose into another without any pauses. It is a low impact form of exercise that puts minimal strain on joints and muscles so it’s great for all ages. 

You may be taking mindful walks without even realizing it. A mindful walk consists of simply being aware of your surroundings and allowing the sights and sounds to help release stress from your day. This isn’t a power walk; it is a slow walk so you can really be in tune with the world around you. Allow yourself to enjoy everything around you as you walk past and feel your connection to the ground under your feet.

Many times our hobbies become like a meditation for us. Maybe you enjoy painting or photography or building ships in bottles. Perhaps you haven’t had the time to take part in your hobbies. This year, make it a point to spend time enjoying your favorite activities. We all need some time to ourselves at some point. It’s good for our health and our mental well-being so don’t feel guilty about taking some time out of your day to do something for you.

As you continue to practice your chosen way to release stress, you will notice changes in your life for the better. You will feel more relaxed, more focused and healthier. Improving your health will help to inspire those around you to improve their health. Let this New Year inspire you to become the healthiest you that you can be.