Being overly stressed is normal when there are anxiety-inducing things that are happening in daily life. But, when a person is overly stressed even when there’s nothing major to worry about and provokes these high levels of stress, this can be an indicator of a mood disorder like Generalized Anxiety. For people who deal with anxiety disorders and the overwhelming stress levels that come with this kind of diagnosis, learning to manage stress is a big part of treatment and healing. Learning about and utilizing mindfulness-based stress relief activities can be helpful for people struggling with mental health issues.
So, check out some of these mindfulness-based stress relief activities you can practice on your own and in your daily life to help manage stress levels.
What is Mindfulness and how Does it Help With Anxiety and Stress?
Mindfulness is a state of mind that is known to help release stress and manage symptoms of anxiety. Essentially, it is working on living in the moment instead of worrying about the past or future. This allows a person to let go of stress or anxiety that surrounds things out of their control. Practicing mindfulness strategies can help to remain present and take things as they come rather than allowing anxiety and stress to take over.
Listen to Music That Keeps You Mindful
Calming music can help you to relax and bring about a mindfulness state of being. So, find the music that helps you keep your mind in the present moment and bring about peace. Some ways to do this is to search for soothing or calming music on platforms like Spotify, Youtube, or Pandora. For example, some playlists that may be calming include relaxing rain sounds, ocean sounds, or spa music.
Get Out Into Nature
One thing that can always ground us and remind us that there is more to life than our worries is nature. Going for a simple walk is a great way to release stress and allow us to stay mindful. While taking a walk in nature, remember to take in every step and take in your surroundings to remain present.
Utilize Breathing Exercises
Breathing is one of the easiest and most reliable ways to practice mindfulness. Breathing exercises can help us to stay calm and relax the body as well as the mind. Plus, they can be used at any time and in any place. So, they’re a great tool to remember to utilize when you’re feeling overwhelmed with stress. For example, a simple breathing exercise is to count to 5 when inhaling and count to five when exhaling. Repeat as needed until you feel better. While breathing, don’t forget to focus on what you’re doing and concentrate which can help you to remain in the present rather than worrying about what’s stressing you.
Use Meditation as a Mindfulness Technique
Meditating is one of the most effective ways to practice mindfulness. Meditation is a great way to control our thoughts so that they don’t lead to more stress and anxiety. And, it can help to relax the body so that it is on the same page as your mind. There are many different types of meditation techniques, so it’s important to find the one that works for you. There are a number of free meditation tools online or in your smartphone app store. So, check these out and use them when you’re feeling stressed in order to find the ones that can help you. Furthermore, consistently meditating can help to promote a state of mindfulness on a daily basis. Therefore, it can help to set a meditation routine that you can follow in order to utilize this tool in order to reduce stress in your daily life.
Getting Help for Stress and Anxiety
Are mindfulness tools not enough to help you manage stress and anxiety levels? Outpatient mental health treatment may help you learn about and practice the tools you need to overcome stress and anxiety in your life. Southcoast Psychiatric Services offers a number of therapeutic and treatment methods that can assist you on your journey to overcoming stress and anxiety.