We all handle stress differently and every stressor has unique effects on each of us.

While stress can indeed adversely affect our lives, we’re not without ways to defend ourselves!

Read on to learn how to combat stress and improve your overall well being. 

1. Restructure Your Fun to Work Ratio

Ever feel like you’re so swamped with work that you never have free time for anything fun?

Odds are you have more free time than you think! Accessing it is only a matter of reorganizing your schedule.

By setting timers on your phone and using your calendar, you can more effectively segment your time between work and fun.

With a bit of structure, your work becomes more fruitful because you have fun to look forward to. Best of both worlds!

2. Create an Exercise Regiment

When it comes to dealing with stress, exercising (even just a 10 minute walk) has been proven to be very effective to elevate your mood. 

Besides knowing you’re improving your body through exercise, physical activity produces endorphins, which are chemicals in the brain that act as natural painkillers. 

This will drastically increase your ability to sleep better and wake up refreshed. 

3. Cut Down on Unhealthy Habits

It might feel like a bit of alcohol, caffeine, or even smoking are innocent ways to relieve stress, if used in moderation. In reality, this couldn’t be further from the truth.

The harm these coping mechanisms do to your health is NOT worth the temporary relief they provide. 

Of course, it can be incredibly difficult to quit any of these vices cold turkey.

Even so, taking any steps at all to limit your consumption will go a long way towards improving your tolerance for stress.

4. Talk with Friends/Supportive People

Lean on those closest to you that are good listeners and have a positive outlook. 

We know sometimes it’s easy to find people to just bounce back and forth negative aspects of life, but actually talking to someone about your issues does release hormones that reduce stress.  

5. Maintain a Proper Diet

Eating properly is a massive topic in itself and we will get to it in excruciating detail, but for now we are referring to the norm of eating more fruits and vegetables, less processed foods and sugars, healthy lean proteins, eating good fats, and drinking plenty of water.

There is a huge correlation between food and stress, but the bottom line is that healthy foods create the proper hormones signaling to your brain letting your body know “Hey, things are all good here with regulating my mood, satiety, sleep, energy, and all the other factors related to feeling good!”

6. Time for some Yoga, Stress Reduction, and Meditation 

There are tons of studies showing the effectiveness of yoga or meditation in alleviating stress.

There are also tons of free apps, youtube videos, and even gym classes that have easy to follow guides in practicing yoga or meditation the proper way. 

This is one we highly recommend trying as it quickly brings results and can be done anytime and anywhere.  

7. Getting the Proper Amount of Sleep

Being in bed for 7-8 hours is not the same as getting 7-8 hours of proper sleep.

Unfortunately, stress and lack of sleep go hand-in-hand. The worse sleep you get, the more stress you have. 

Since this is another massive topic, please take the time to check out some of our blog posts and take a look at our best selling sleep supplements to help you combat stress. 

8. Spend time with your pet!

People stressing you out everywhere you go? 

Nothing a little time with a furry friend won’t solve!

Clinical studies prove that spending even a short amount of time with your pet cuts stress and anxiety in half. 

So, drop your stress and pick up a tennis ball and start having some fun with your pet!

9. Take a Vacation

When all else fails, sometimes it’s okay to press pause on everything and take a nice break.

Just remember that while you’re on vacation, your mind needs to be as well. 

Checking your phone and emails every 5 seconds won’t cut it. You have earned your vacation time and deserve to have fun and relax without being drawn back into the stress that made you want to take a break in the first place. 

10. Take a quality Adaptogenic Supplement

Adaptogens are non-toxic herbs used for centuries to help the body deal with stress of all kinds,  whether it be biological, physical, or chemical. When choosing supplements, there are certain ingredients to look out for so you know it will provide real results.   

11. Talk to a Licensed Therapist

If you feel you have tried everything and are still overwhelmed by stress, than try seeking professional help. Make an appointment now, because your health and life are worth it.