Whether you’re overwhelmed with school work, your financial situation, or passing that test, it is always important to find time to destress. Finding time to unwind will lower your level of stress, make you more productive, and benefit your physical and mental health. According to WebMD, “Our bodies are designed to handle small doses of stress. But, we are not equipped to handle long-term, chronic stress without ill consequences”. Some of these consequences are headaches, insomnia, an upset stomach, tense muscles, and frequent colds and infections. Other consequences of long term stress include mental health problems such as anxiety, depression, and personality disorders. 

One way to destress is through exercise. Whether you enjoy playing a sport or simply going for a walk, your body will release endorphins. Endorphins are chemicals in your brain that act as natural painkillers and allow your body to relax. If you do not enjoy exercise, try it with a friend to make it more enjoyable. A friend of mine who enjoys exercise on the regular said, “Playing basketball puts my mind at ease. It helps me release stress and spend quality time with friends”.

Another way to unwind is by meditating. According to buffer.com, “During meditation, activity in the parietal lobe slows down. The gatekeeper for the senses, this organ focuses your attention by funneling some sensory data deeper into the brain and stopping other signals in their tracks. Meditation reduces the flow of incoming information to a trickle”. If you are feeling overwhelmed by your thoughts, meditation may be a good option for you. Meditation allows you to be mindful and present in the moment.

An easy way to destress is to change your environment. If you are at work, consider taking a step outside. If you are at home, try moving to a different room or getting out of the house for a while. In my experience, a change of scenery makes all the difference.

There are many ways to destress including exercising, meditating, and changing your environment. Finding time to unwind is critical to maintain optimal physical and mental health as well as to avoid serious medical conditions.