10 effective ways to reduce stress

December 9, 2014 10:45

Here are some ways to reduce stress and quickly regain a cheerful and positive mood.

1. Take a walk in the early morning.

Walking in the early morning is very beneficial for health and for those who want to reduce stress. Walking not only helps your body produce endorphins – neurotransmitters in the brain that make you feel happier.

It also forces you to focus, helping you forget what worries you. Exercising in warm, sunny weather can boost your mood. Just a brisk walk for at least 30 minutes is enough for a day's exercise.

2. Drink water

Eye strain from working long hours on the computer and feeling sleepy are signs of dehydration. Scientists say that even a 1-2% water deficiency can slow down thinking. To avoid this, always keep a water bottle on your desk to drink from, even when you don't feel thirsty. Drinking enough water can reduce your risk of cancer by 7%.


3. Taking a nap

Make it a good habit to take a short nap at lunchtime (whether at the office or at home). This short nap helps you regain your energy and vitality for the afternoon's work. Find a quiet place where you can lie down comfortably, but it will help relax your muscles, especially your neck and eyes. Furthermore, your brain needs proper rest, which will help reduce stress and tension at work.

4. Start with some light exercises.

You feel uncomfortable sitting for long periods in front of a computer screen. You experience numbness in your legs, sometimes even cramps, and feel restless and uncomfortable. Try standing up, walking around for a few minutes, and stretching your arms and legs to get your muscles and joints moving again.

Don't forget some exercises for your neck, shoulders, and abdomen. Spending about 5 minutes doing these will improve blood circulation, prevent varicose veins, eliminate uric acid that damages joints, and avoid the risk of abdominal fat accumulation.

5. Watch a comedy movie.

Watching comedy films can stimulate the brain's activity center, making you feel more relaxed and relieving stress and fatigue.


Laughter can lift your spirits and is the best medicine to help you cope with life's pressures.

Choose a few of your favorite snacks like french fries, crackers, popcorn, cheese, chocolate, ice cream… or anything that can make you feel good while watching a movie.

However, there's an unwritten rule that eating a lot of this food, especially while watching movies late at night, can easily lead to weight gain. So, choose the right time to watch and the right food.

6. Eat foods that are high in fiber.

Regularly eating foods high in fiber is very good for heart health and helps reduce the risk of stress. Fiber helps lower blood sugar levels, improves blood circulation, and therefore keeps you feeling healthy and mentally relaxed.

You can easily add fiber to your daily meals through fruits and vegetables such as: whole grains, apples, oranges, tangerines, and leafy greens.

7. Enjoying nature

Instead of locking yourself in a stuffy, dark, and poorly ventilated room, open the window to let in fresh air. It really helps you relax.


Research shows that when stress levels increase, gazing at natural scenery helps bring heart rates back to normal more quickly. Psychologists at the University of Washington have stated, "We become better mentally and physically when we connect with nature."

8. Go for a walk and practice yoga.

When the pressures of life cause stress, try to set aside 1-2 hours for a walk or practice yoga!

Gentle exercise or meditation will relax your mind, improve your heart rate, and increase blood circulation… All of these things will dispel your fatigue, anxiety, and stress.

9. Clean your room.

Clutter in a cramped space can inadvertently make you feel suffocated, and stress can therefore worsen.

Therefore, schedule some time for cleaning; reducing clutter also reduces stress. A tidy space can make you feel satisfied and rejuvenated. Plus, you can get exercise while cleaning, which can burn over 250 calories per hour.

10. Chew gum

Besides freshening your breath, chewing gum can also reduce stress and anxiety, and improve mental performance at work. Many studies have shown that people who chew gum experience less stress, depression, and high blood pressure or cholesterol.

According to Alobacsi.vn