De-Stress Yourself for a Healthy and Happy Life: Check out the Best Stress Relief Methods and Apps to Calm You Down Naturally and Eliminate Stress from Your Life (2021)

Stress is a common phenomenon but has recently become more severe mostly due to the spread of COVID 19 and the financial complication it has brought on some of you. Stress can make you very ill if not identified and treated, or taken care of in time. Stress is a feeling of emotional and/or physical tension. You can feel stressed due to different reasons and feel frustrated, angry or nervous. It is actually a reaction of your body when faced with a challenge or a demand. Stress is not always harmful, it can actually be positive when it comes in short bursts as it helps you to identify danger and stay away from it. When stress is a regular occurrence and is not taken care of, it can harm your health.

The two types of stress are acute stress and chronic stress. Acute stress is short term and comes and goes in a splash. It is the feeling you have when you are meeting your boss for a special presentation or are about to drive for the first time or even when appearing for an interview. It helps you manage dangerous situations. All of you feel this type of stress at some point and it is not harmful for your health. Chronic stress on the other hand lasts longer. It usually happens due to financial troubles, unhappy relationships or an unhealthy work environment. If you feel stressed for more than a week then it is chronic stress and you won't even know when it becomes a problem. It can cause harm to your health and the signs will be visible on your body.

Some signs of stress are mood swings, sweaty palms, diarrhea, digestive issues, anxiety, headaches, low energy, muscle tension in the neck and shoulders, a racing heartbeat, low sex drive, etc. Keep watch on these signs and if you feel you are experiencing some of them, start using stress relief methods as soon as possible to avoid transforming it into a major health issue. Here are some of the main reasons for stress which occur in most of you:

As mentioned earlier, it is natural to feel stressed from time to time which can be due to work and family responsibilities. If stress is short-term then you should be OK with it but if it stays longer and you feel your heart racing and muscles becoming tense then you might be at risk. Some of the symptoms of chronic stress are irritability, anxiety, depression, headaches and insomnia. Stress can have numerous harmful effect on your body and some of these effects are listed below:

Here are some of the methods you can use if you are feeling stressed for a long time. These are all natural ways of calming your senses and reducing stress from your mind and body:

Exercise is good for your health and is extremely good for combating stress. Putting extra pressure of your body through exercise can actually relieve mental stress and reduce anxiety to a great extent. Your body releases the stress hormone called cortisol which is suppressed by exercising regularly. Exercise releases endorphin which is a mood enhancer and is a natural painkiller. Exercising regularly also lets you sleep better and remove anxiety. You feel more confident when you are in good shape, hence you feel better. You should go for walks, dance, do rock climbing, yoga, etc. to relieve stress and stay positive.

All of you breathe naturally but focusing on your breathing technique can really destress you. When you take deep breaths from the belly or abdomen then you disengage your mind from the thoughts that bring stress. Those of you with eating disorders can benefit greatly from focusing on your breathing technique. If you have respiratory ailments or heart issues you should consult a doctor before using this technique.

If you have loads of work in the office and feel stressed about it then walking into a cluttered office can spike your stress levels even higher. Having a number of tasks with short deadlines can make you stressed. If you want to work on these tasks without feeling overburdened or stressed then start organising yourself. Start with a to-do list to help you see what needs to be done when. Set your priorities and work according to them. Make realistic goals and set realistic deadlines for yourself to avoid stress and you'll be a happy person.

If you have learned the art of organising yourself but still feel stressed then it is time for you to study and practice relaxation techniques. Set a time for you to relax and unwind after a hard day. You can try the deep breathing technique, progressive muscle relaxation and mindful meditation to keep stress at bay. You can also use some apps that help you and guide you to use these techniques and keep your life stress-free.

You know when you are sad or happy because your body and your actions tell you what state of mind you are in. Often you spend too much time in a frazzled state and forget how you are feeling. It is important to know your body and learn to identify the state it is in, for example, when you are happy you laugh or when you are sleepy your eyes shut automatically, similarly when you are stressed your muscles tense up and your breath becomes shallow. Pay attention to your body to know when you are stressed. Check to see if your stomach is cramped, your hands or jaw is clenched or your breathing is not normal. These may be the signs of stress which you have been ignoring for a long.

Yoga, tai chi and qigong are three ancient arts that combine rhythmic breathing with a series of postures or movements. They keep you mentally focused and keep distracting thoughts away from you. They also improve your flexibility and balance and keep you healthy and fit. It is recommended to talk to a doctor before using these techniques, especially if you have major health issues and disabling conditions.

You can also try taking supplements. Many supplements promote stress and anxiety reduction. Some common supplements for this are lemon balm which is a member of the mint family and is known to have anti-anxiety properties. You can also take omega 3 fatty acids which reduce around 20% of the anxiety symptoms. Ashwagandha can also be used for the same. It is a herb used in Ayurvedic medicine that can treat stress and anxiety. Green tea is also very effective when it comes to relieving stress as it contains polyphenol which increases serotonin levels. Valerian root can also be used to induce sleep as it has tranquillizing effects.

Another herb you can use is the kava which is a member of the pepper family and can treat mild stress and anxiety. It is better to talk to a doctor before using these supplements as they may interact with some medications you might be taking.

Don't ever forget to take some time out from your hectic schedule. Stress can affect your emotions and alter your behaviour. It may lead to irritability or you may feel angry when stressed. If you feel these symptoms then it is time for you to take a step away and take some time out. Do something you enjoy like reading a book, listening to music, chit-chat with a friend, etc. It will help you relax and feel fresh again.

If you thought eating chocolates is bad for you think again. Eating a square of dark chocolate can regulate levels of the stress hormone cortisol and make you feel relaxed. It also stabilizes your metabolism and lets you eat properly.

Drinking coffee is good for your health but if you are feeling stressed then keeping coffee at bay can be good for you. Tea and coffee have caffeine which when taken in high doses increase your anxiety. Different people can tolerate caffeine to different levels therefore if you feel anxious then stay away from caffeine for a while.

Here is a list of some of the best apps you can use to de-stress yourself:

GPS for the Soul is created by Arianna Huffington and Deepak Chopra. The app uses biofeedback and determines the level of stress. It also helps in managing your stress by different meditation tools like calming pictures and music. The GPS for the Soul app has launched a new version which is available on the iTunes Store. This is a free app which guides you through its personalised tools. You can easily upload your own music and pictures in the library and use them when needed. You can download it from The Huffington Post.

Relax Lite: Stress Relief is an effective app which is able to relieve stress in just 5 minutes. It uses guided breathing and meditation exercises which promote relaxation. Using the app makes you focus better and gives you more energy. It has a structured course which teaches you breathing techniques, You can download the app from Google Play Store.

Colorfy is a great app for those of you who like to colour. It has a great library full of images and mandalas you can colour. Keeping your mind busy with this creative app can keep the distracting thoughts away from you and you feel relaxed. This is a free app for Android and is fun. You can share your masterpieces with your friends and have a fun time. Download this app from Google Play Store.

Calm is a great app for those of you with sleeping trouble. It helps you relax through its guided meditation sessions. It also has great sleep stories, breathing programs and relaxing music recommended by therapists and mental health experts. You can download this app from Google Play Store and use it at night when you are in bed to put you to sleep.