STRESS MANAGEMENT
Stress management: ways to relieve and reduce stress
Stress is beneficial in the short term, but in the long term, this natural reaction negatively affects your physical and mental health. Read on quickly to find out how to relieve stress and how cannabidiol(CBD) affects stress management.
Content:
Why is stress management important?
It is impossible to avoid stress entirely, but it is important to keep its physical impact manageable. Every day we face stressful situations, both at home and at work. It is simply unavoidable. Therefore, the best approach to stress is to learn how to keep it in check.
If you learn to cope with stress and practice helpful techniques, you can stay in control and stay productive. You often feel better as a result, and your body will thank you, too. Of course, the feeling of stress is different for everyone, but the fact is that chronic stress has a great impact on everyone’s mental and physical health.
The impact of stress on your health
The problem with stress is that it is not limited to mild, insignificant symptoms. Chronic stress can affect every process in the body and this can seriously interfere with the quality of life. The list is endless, but common symptoms include:
– Increased risk of depression
– Low libido
– Headache
– Fatigue
– Weakened immune system
– Increased heart rate and breathing
– Concentration problems
– And much more!
The list of different symptoms that can occur is dizzying, and sometimes it seems impossible to deal with them. But fortunately, that is possible.
How do you manage stress?
Your lifestyle plays a crucial role in managing stress. In doing so, we often forget that our bodies need time to process stress and we don’t understand the underlying reason. Moreover, there are also differences by country and culture. For example, scientists have found that people in so-called “Blue Zones” have much lower stress levels. They also cope better with stressful situations, compared with people in other parts of the world.
The stress-free lifestyle in Blue Zones
Scientists have found that people who barely have problems with stress follow four fundamental principles: exercise naturally, have a positive attitude, eat healthily and connect with others. The first three principles seem quite logical. Most people know best that exercise, a positive attitude and a nutritious diet are among the best ways to manage stress. But the very latter, connection, is the foundation of effective stress management.
Connection is about talking to family and friends and feeling yourself closely connected to others. Social interaction is a powerful tool and this is often forgotten in a world dominated by digital communication. Despite all the technological advances, nothing beats a face-to-face meeting with someone you know and trust!
Does leading a longer, more fulfilling life sound appealing? Then we have good news! And you don’t have to move to a Blue Zone to experience the benefits of stress management. It is important, however, that you find the right balance between short-term and long-term exercises and thus discover what works best for you.
Short-term stress management
The techniques below require only a few minutes of your time and can be applied almost anywhere.
Meditating
Meditation is a powerful technique that helps relieve stress within minutes. There are a number of different methods, but in this article we’ll keep it simple: try breathing in and out slowly while focusing your attention on the present. Close your eyes and try to recognize the different sounds and smells around you. Meditating for a few minutes every day can help organize your thoughts and improve your concentration.
Breathing exercises
Slow, controlled breathing goes hand in hand with meditation, but you can also do this exercise on its own. An accelerated heart rate and breathing are well-known symptoms of stress. Therefore, it is important to restore a natural rhythm. Breathe deeply through your nose and try to fill your belly with oxygen. Hold your breath for a moment before exhaling through your mouth again. Repeat this process for several minutes to reduce stress and tension.
Hiking
Sometimes the simplest approach is just the most effective. It has even been scientifically proven [1] that a walk (preferably in nature) lowers your stress level. So if you notice that you are experiencing more stress, go outside and enjoy the surroundings and sounds while walking. You don’t have to cover miles, but walk long enough to restore order to your mind.
Stress management in the long run
It is sometimes challenging to manage stress in the long run. However, developing good habits is not only beneficial for your mental well-being, but also an excellent way to reduce stress!
Try a new hobby or sport
The benefit of trying a new activity (or picking up an old hobby) is twofold. First of all, it is exciting to try new things and as a result you benefit from extra happiness hormones.
Second, of course, are the benefits of exercise. In particular, aerobic exercise improves cardiovascular health, lowers blood pressure, regulates blood sugar and supports better sleep. Is there a better way to tackle stress than by strengthening the body while having fun? In our opinion, no!
Follow a balanced diet
Eating foods high in sugar may induce a feeling of pleasure in the short term, but ultimately it can also exacerbate stress symptoms. Therefore, focus on a balanced diet, where it is okay to enjoy the occasional sweet treat. A combination of healthy products, such as avocado, eggs, leafy vegetables and nuts, gives your body the nutrients and vitamins it needs to perform well.
Keep a gratitude journal
When you are stressed, it seems like everything in life is against you. However, the reality is that you can get something positive out of everything. Therefore, keep a journal in which you write down daily what you are grateful for. This helps you focus on positive things and appreciate the little things in life. Try to do this every day, even if you only write a small piece.
Can CBD oil help manage stress?
We discussed in detail what stress management is and how to deal with it. But where does CBD come in? Well, that’s the beauty of CBD: you can use it for almost anything!
The balanced effect of CBD
CBD’s role in tension is multifaceted. Indeed, the compound has a unique influence on both body and mind, making it broadly applicable. CBD, for example, affects mood and makes you feel more at ease. In addition, cannabidiol supports the immune system. Researchers even believe that the cannabinoid may promote a healthy sleep-wake cycle, making it very useful in busy lifestyles.
A varied diet, keeping a journal and connecting with people are all things to reduce stress that have to do with balance: a balance between healthy eating and treats, between the negative and positive aspects of life and between communicating online and in person.
Balance is also the driving force behind CBD. This is because it does not overload your receptors and bodily systems, but instead works with the endocannabinoid system (ECS) to promote homeostasis. Homeostasis is a healthy physical balance that makes you feel good about yourself and better able to handle life’s challenges.
Are you struggling with a lot of tension and want to know if CBD can support you too? Then take a look at Cibdol’s store. Want to learn more about the impact of CBD oil, long-term effects of stress and lifestyle in the Blue Zones? Then visit our CBD encyclopedia.
