If your body is feeling the burn-out of stress, it's up to you to get it under control. Stress is now recognized as a major detractor from a healthy lifestyle. Health researchers from the American Psychological Association to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) encourage you to pursue daily stress relief. Giving your mind and body a break has proven health benefits, such as lower blood pressure and better attention span. De-stressing does not have to cost a dime. Natural stress reduction techniques can be practiced at home or facilitated by professionals.
Improve Your Sleeping Habits
Inadequate sleep accumulates a sleep debt over time and can be an important factor in your stress burden. Fortunately, improving the quality of your sleep can correct the problem and provide stress reduction. The AARP reports that most adults need eight hours of sleep nightly, on average.
Sleep quality, however, also depends on uninterrupted rest. The National Sleep Foundation suggests scheduling enough time in bed so you'll wake up naturally, without an alarm clock. Buy a medium-firm--not hard--mattress and a cervical pillow to support better sleep posture. Address a partner's snoring, which may have a medical cause, to bring stress relief to both parties.
Improve Your Eating Habits
A good diet is not only part of a healthy lifestyle but contributes to stress reduction too. You may notice that you don't sleep as well after a heavy, fatty or late-night meal. The American Heart Association (AHA) suggests shifting to a low-fat diet of less refined and processed foods.
This means you should emphasize veggies, fruits, whole grains and lean meats. Cutting down on alcohol and caffeine will improve your nutritional profile. The National Sleep Foundation also notes that finishing dinner at least two hours before bedtime will contribute to sleep-induced stress relief.
Take Time for Relaxation
Taking time out for yourself is also recognized as a component of a healthy lifestyle that provides stress reduction, according to the AARP. Choose a relaxing activity that you can practice regularly, such as a regimen of stretching, deep breathing or meditation. Social interaction can also improve your mood, the AARP reports. Take a group yoga or Tai chi class. Find an exercise partner for fitness walks or a game of tennis or basketball.
Exercise provides natural stress relief by breaking down harmful chemicals that build up in your body when you are tense. The AHA relates that physical tension contributes to impaired mental function, so exercising works the stress out of both mind and body. Thirty minutes of moderate exercise a day is recommended for adults.
