Everyone experiences different forms of tension throughout the day. Work deadlines, city noises, traffic while commuting, concerns about health, finances, or childcare, and the technology we work with – all these factors stimulate our bodies and trigger a stress response.
While you may know that excessive stress, especially over a prolonged period, can be harmful to your health, it's not always possible to avoid various stressful situations during the day. However, what we can do is ensure sufficient relaxation!
In this article, we want to focus on finding the right balance. It's essential for a healthy lifestyle to be aware of the relaxation that offsets the efforts and stress you experience during the day. In this article, we'll share more about the importance of relaxation, reducing stress levels, and some tips to help your body with it!
What is stress?
When we are under significant pressure, our bodies experience stress: it automatically enters a fight-or-flight or freeze mode. This reaction leads to an increased heart rate and the release of hormones, including adrenaline and cortisol.
In certain situations, this acute stress response (similar to when our ancestors faced a tiger in prehistoric times) is necessary and life-saving. Even today, such acute stress can be beneficial, such as when you need to perform well on an important task or when your body is fighting an infection. However, it's essential to take the time to relax after these moments of effort.
Physical effects of stress
However, with the many stimuli around us nowadays, relaxation is not always automatic. The body doesn't get enough time to recover. When stress impulses come one after the other and become chronic, it can even be harmful.
Your body is constantly triggered, and adrenaline and cortisol are repeatedly produced, leading to physical complaints. You may notice that your brain functions less efficiently; for example, you might be more emotional, forget things more often, or get easily distracted. Chronic stress can also disrupt your sleep, preventing your body from relaxing properly.
How to relax during stress?
By paying sufficient attention to relaxation, you can help your body cope with stress and give your brain enough rest! For example, you can clear your mind by going for a walk in nature, engaging in a calming hobby, or having a session with a personal trainer.
Taking a bath, attending a relaxing yoga class, or reading a book can also be helpful. Additionally, playing with your children or cuddling with your pets can have a significant effect. Having fun is a vital form of relaxation!
Taking rest is essential
You can engage in various activities to relax, but research has also shown that it can be even more effective to do absolutely nothing for a moment: a moment of silence where you switch off your mind – for example, by focusing on your breath or listening to soothing music.
Our advice is to spend enough time during the day doing enjoyable activities so that you experience pleasure and relaxation. Practically, it's also beneficial to take occasional moments of rest during a busy workday or while driving.
Relaxation excersises for stress
A few simple mindfulness exercises during the day don't take much time but can be very valuable as they directly lead to slower breathing and a reduced heart rate.
Try taking a moment for yourself during a busy day and sit still for a few minutes. Focus on slowing down your breathing or ask yourself a few questions: How does my body feel, and how am I doing? How is my breathing right now?
You can also try doing something with full attention a few times a day, such as eating or cycling. Do it so slowly that you're fully aware of what you see, feel, hear, and taste.
With these moments of relaxation during the day, you will help your body and brain reduce cortisol and adrenaline levels in between: you'll recover faster and will also benefit during your sleep. In the long run, it will help you perform even better!
Enjoy and embrace relaxation!
