12 Ways to Reduce Stress and Feel Calmer

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We all experience stress from time to time.

Stress really creeps in during big life events, strict deadlines for work, and during times of conflict or uncertainty.

Although you cannot control everything in your external world, you can control your reaction to stressful situations.

Taking control of your stress in order to reduce it is an empowering practice.

By implementing these tips into your life, you will be able to reduce your stress and feel calmer.

1. Focus on your breathing

Being mindful of your breath is a practice that allows you to be more present.

With more presence comes more peace and intentionality.

Whenever you start to feel stress creep in, take three deep breaths. Hold your breath between the inhales and exhales. Notice the sensation of your stomach, lungs and the air going in and out of your nose.

Breathwork is a free, simple practice that you can utilize at any time.

2. Spend more time outside in the fresh air

Nature can be very calming, especially if you spend time outside without your phone.

Be mindful of the birds chirping, the sensation of the sun on your face, and the sound of the leaves rustling underneath your feet.

Spending time outside should leave you feeling refreshed and grounded, even if you are only out there for a few moments.

Related Reads:
• 10 Reasons Why You’re Mentally Burned Out
• 7 Evening Habits to Help You Unwind From Your Day

3. Journal on your thoughts 

Sometimes we feel stressed simply because our brain is trying to process too much at once.

Journaling is an effective way to get out all of the thoughts clogging your brain and work through them.

Journal on how you are feeling.

Just sharing your thoughts, even if it is only with a piece of paper no one has to read, can be a freeing feeling for you. It allows you to let them go.

4. Move your body daily

It probably comes as no surprise to you that exercise can positively impact just about every area of your life.

Instead of turning to a negative outlet to reduce stress, turn to exercise.

Go for a walk to give yourself time and space to think. Get any frustration or anger out while lifting weights or going on a run.

Make exercise your positive outlet for stress.

General Dentistry Batavia IL also recommends complementing regular exercise with routine health checkups. This will ensure that you’re physically healthy.

5. Listen to relaxing music

An upbeat remix played at full volume is not really the best thing to listen to when you are stressed.

Instead, listen to relaxing music.

For you, this might mean nature sounds, classical music, acoustic coffeehouse songs, or something entirely different.

You can play this music throughout the day or during your commute, whatever works for you!

6. Clean your space

The state of your external environment can have a direct impact on the state of your internal environment.

If your desk is messy and unorganized, then it may cause you to feel stressed and overwhelmed.

Keeping your space clean welcomes calmer into your life.

Take just a few minutes to clean up the area around you, and you will notice a positive shift.

7. Swap caffeine for herbal tea 

Too much caffeine may cause you to feel jittery, anxious, and overwhelmed.

You don’t have to totally eliminate caffeine from your diet, but limiting yourself and swapping the rest for herbal tea can make a difference in how you feel.

Herbal tea replaces that jittery feeling with a more relaxed state of mind.

Check out: 8 Best Herbal Teas to Help Reduce Anxiety and Stress

8. Diffuse relaxing essential oils or light a candle

As you know, your environment has a huge impact on how you feel.

Add more peace to your environment by diffusing essential oils or lighting a candle.

The scents you choose can allow you to feel more relaxed, and it can add an element of calm to your work environment.

9. Turn off your phone and unplug if possible

You may not even realize how much unnecessary stress your phone causes.

You are probably used to the constant notifications, switching between apps, and feeling the need to always be accessible to everyone.

Unplugging might be an intimidating thing that you have never done before, and that’s okay! 

The truth is, you don’t have to be accessible to everyone all the time if you set boundaries.

Try turning your phone off for a few hours at a time and see how it affects you. Sure, it will take some adjusting at first, but you will feel freedom and relief when you aren’t constantly checking it.

Unplugging frees up so much mental space for you to use in more productive areas of your life.

10. Talk to someone who can hold space for you

When you are stressed, you might just need to talk out what you are feeling with someone.

First, carefully choose who you open up to.

If the person is going to give unsolicited advice or just say “I told you so!”, then that is not really helpful for you.

Talk to someone who can safely hold space for you like a therapist, parent, or trusted friend.

Sometimes just getting the words out will help reduce your stress around the situation.

11. Wear clothes that you feel comfortable and confident in

Something as simple as the clothing you wear can affect your stress.

If you are always tugging at your clothes to get them to stay up or worrying about blisters from your shoes or feeling insecure because your dress is too tight, then you might want to rethink your outfit choices.

Wear clothing that you feel both comfortable and confident in to reduce your stress in this area.

12. Pet an animal

Service dogs exist for a reason—they reduce stress!

Petting an animal is a quick and effective way to reduce stress and feel calmer.

If you don’t have a pet, you can visit a friend who has one or go to any local shelter adoption events.

Final Thoughts

Everything on this list is a small shift or addition to your day, but together, they can profoundly impact your mindset.

Try incorporating one thing at a time if it speaks to you.

Consistency is crucial here, and you have to be open to making these changes and keeping up with them if you really want to take control of your stress.

I hope these ways to reduce stress and feel calmer serve you well as you continue on this journey of life!