As much as we all hate it, stress is an integral part of life. Just like any other thing we find difficult to accept, we often hear the same piece of advice – you have to learn to live with it.
This is the harsh truth, at least to some extent. The question is – how much is too much? When stress levels are too high for a very long time, we’re running a serious risk of developing anxiety, mental health issues or even terminal disease. This is no joking matter, and we need to take it seriously.
So, how can we manage stress?
Quality sleep
We cannot stress it enough. We need to prioritize our sleep, and more importantly – optimize it. No screen time at least 30 minutes before going to bed. Block out all the blue light and get the room as dark as you can. Some research also suggests that getting a red-light bulb can improve sleep immensely.
Ketamine Assisted Therapy
Ketamine Assisted Therapy is an innovative and promising approach to treating mental health issues, gaining increasing recognition in recent times. This therapy involves giving ketamine, a dissociative anesthetic, to people who are dealing with a range of mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, and chronic pain. KAT differs from conventional antidepressants and therapies in that it often delivers swift and profound outcomes, with patients frequently reporting substantial enhancements in mood and overall well-being following only a few sessions. Ongoing research aims to uncover the long-term effects and underlying mechanisms of KAT, offering the potential for a groundbreaking advancement in the realm of mental health treatment.
Physical activity
Let’s be clear here. Nobody expects you to become the next Arnold. Any kind of activity is good for you, doesn’t matter how light. Take a walk, grab a jump rope, do some jumping jacks – just increase your heart rate, get the blood flow going. Of course, if you’re willing to go the extra mile, then by all means do that. Getting on a strict, vigorous workout regime will improve your life. Exercise makes your body and mind strong, and you’ll find dealing with trials and tribulations of everyday life much easier to deal with.
Creative hobby
Get creative, find something interesting that is both fun and engaging. Some people try music, some sign up for a creative workshop, some try meditation, pilates or yoga. A hobby, especially somehow related to building or creating something with your own hands, can bring much-needed peace to your mind. Seeing the result of our effort almost immediately is a very rewarding feeling. For someone with an artistic inclination, trying out a painting workshop might be a great option. If you know you hate art – try meditation, you’ll be surprised what difference it can make.
Breathing exercises
This one is a game-changer. Think of it as having an ace up your sleeve, a special weapon you can use against panicking or an anxiety attack. There are plenty of techniques and guides available online, but if you don’t want to spend time on browsing through those, just take a few deep breaths. Slow it down, let the air out and repeat. Sounds cliche, but it’s really effective. We recommend investing a little more time to learn a few simple techniques to make it more interesting and to have a better understanding of how and why it works.
