The Best Ways to Relax During Stressful Times
After all the chaos of 2020, it’s understandable if you’re heading into 2021 feeling a little exhausted. Stress can be caused by anything from traumatic events or pressure at work to difficulties in our relationships. Sometimes, our bodies and/or minds can get overwhelmed or stressed out without us even realizing what the cause is, but it’s important to learn how to manage and alleviate stress if you want to live a healthy life. However, it can be difficult to know how to address the issue, especially if you haven’t had to deal with that level of being overwhelmed before. If you find yourself dealing with more anxiety than usual, read on to learn more about some of the best ways you can relax during stressful times.
What are some symptoms of stress?
Before learning about ways to reduce your stress, it’s important to understand exactly how stress can affect both our mental and physical health negatively. The effects of anxiety and stress can range from the moderate or irritating to incredibly severe health concerns. On the more moderate side, stress can cause physical symptoms like headaches, lack of energy, an upset stomach, or other aches and pains. Emotional symptoms include being agitated or irritable, feeling overwhelmed, having difficulty relaxing, experiencing low self-esteem, and avoiding other people. More severe issues that have been linked to stress include lifelong mental health conditions, increased risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity, and a host of other problems.
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, or you’re worried that a health condition that you’re already diagnosed with may be connected to your stress levels, it’s a good idea to reach out to your doctor to get an expert opinion. If your doctor believes that stress might be causing health problems for you, they can often be a good resource to start giving you advice on how to manage your discomfort and anxiety.
How can you relax?
For anyone struggling to relax, talking to a professional is always a good place to start. This is especially important when you think about the medical issues that can be caused by extreme stress. Not only that, but talking to a professional can often do a lot to ease anxiety all on its own. Understanding the cause of your issues and being given concrete steps you can take to address them is incredibly beneficial for anyone’s mental health. There are also plenty of relaxation techniques you can use on your own, in addition to products that can address some symptoms of stress.
Cannabis products like CBD have proven helpful for many people. For those unfamiliar, CBD is short for cannabidiol, a cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant, which does not contain significant amounts of THC. This means, unlike marijuana, the side effects don’t include a psychoactive high. There are even people who use CBD for bipolar disorder and other mental health conditions, though studies are still ongoing to determine what medical applications CBD has, if any. Still, sufferers of conditions like PTSD, epilepsy, and a myriad of other conditions rave about its benefits. Consumers report positive effects from products containing CBD that include providing relaxation and giving them a general sense of well-being and comfort.
If you are using CBD or THC, be careful where you pick up a THC cartridge. The quality and efficacy of cannabis products can vary significantly, depending on which brand you use. Potency can also vary between different strains and even between different brands of the same strain. Take the time to do your research before engaging in the use of CBD or THC products. As with anything you plan to ingest, talk to your doctor to make sure THC or CBD is a healthy addition to your routine.
Stress, anxiety, and frustration are all normal parts of our lives, but if you don’t know how to manage them, it’s easy to develop both mental and physical problems as a result. The health concerns of untreated and unmanageable stress can range from headaches or irritability to serious concerns like cardiovascular disease or the development of lifelong mental health conditions like depression. If you’re experiencing high levels of stress or think something you’re struggling with may be a result of the anxiety in your life, talk to your doctor about products you can use and relaxation techniques you can incorporate into your wellness routine. There’s no better investment to make than one in your health and comfort.
