Well Being | Stressed? Time to get active

When faced with work or family stress, many of us just want to curl up on a couch and escape it all. That is not the answer.

What do you do when you are stressed? Do you retreat to a quiet space and indulge in everything from chocolate to wine to escape the anxiety of it? Or do you simply just lie down, hoping it will all be gone when you awaken?

Everyone has their own way of dealing with stress but it not be necessarily the most productive. Allowing stress to build up without releasing it can be exceptionally dangerous both for your health and well being. As such, you need to some avenue to release it.

Staring at a computer screen or TV after a hard day at work will not help you forget about it all. DIY crafting, however, will help as its repetitive motion can propel you to a state that is almost trance-like. Knitting, for example, has come back in fashion thanks to its therapeutic benefits.

Dancing is another art form that is known to help alleviate stress. Stress releases the hormone cortisol in response to any negative stimuli and stores it in your body. Dancing replaces these hormones with serotonin and endorphins and counters the mental effects that stress has on your mind and body, so you see things in a more positive light.

There is a reason why golf is so popular amongst those that hold highly stressful positions. As a moderate exercise, golf offers a feeling of serenity as well as being outside in the fresh air.

Hiking offers similar benefits with the added boost of cardiovascular activity. Being surrounded by nature is one of the key positive impacts on relieving stressful situations.

If you prefer to relax and shut off from the world, try yoga. The mind-body practice combines controlled breathing, relaxation and mediation – all elements that can lower blood pressure and heart rate.