{"id":189,"date":"2023-07-11T04:04:18","date_gmt":"2023-07-11T04:04:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/osimindia.com\/post\/?p=189"},"modified":"2023-07-11T04:04:18","modified_gmt":"2023-07-11T04:04:18","slug":"8-ways-to-successfully-manage-and-reduce-stress","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/osimindia.com\/post\/8-ways-to-successfully-manage-and-reduce-stress\/","title":{"rendered":"8 Ways to Successfully Manage and Reduce Stress"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Everyone has experienced stress at least once in his or her life, and that is definitely not an overstatement. Yet, when it feels like you are constantly drowning in stress, it is time to take a step back and make some changes.&nbsp; Here are 10 ways you can to manage and reduce your stress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Diet<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The proverbial saying goes \u201cYou are what you eat\u201d, it stands true today because your diet will directly affect your cognitive processes and in turn how you feel. With a bad diet filled with processed food and sugar, you will tend to feel more sluggish and hence, reduced task-handling capabilities. This creates feelings of inadequacy, leading to more stress, further feeding this bad cycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Especially when facing day-to-day challenging tasks, the brain needs better nutrition than ever to meet the demand. When it comes to your diet, choose less refined carbohydrates, more proteins and vegetables.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/osimindia.com\/post\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/8-ways-to-manage-stress-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-191\" srcset=\"https:\/\/osimindia.com\/post\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/8-ways-to-manage-stress-1.jpg 750w, https:\/\/osimindia.com\/post\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/8-ways-to-manage-stress-1-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Better sleep habits<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A good night\u2019s rest ensures better mood and productivity tomorrow. Without enough rest, you are likely to wake up feeling grumpy and irritable, making you feel more agitated and stressed. In order to achieve that, practice good sleep habits such as avoiding caffeine in the evening, reserving bedroom area for sleeping only and avoid phones 30 minutes before bed time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/osimindia.com\/post\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/8-ways-to-manage-stress-3.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-192\" srcset=\"https:\/\/osimindia.com\/post\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/8-ways-to-manage-stress-3.jpg 750w, https:\/\/osimindia.com\/post\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/8-ways-to-manage-stress-3-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4.Exercise<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A sedentary lifestyle due to our desk-bound jobs will only make us more lethargic. By exercising, it bumps up your energy levels by pumping your body full of endorphins that combat stress, stabilizes mood and even improve your sleep quality in the long run.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/osimindia.com\/post\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/8-ways-to-manage-stress-4.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-193\" srcset=\"https:\/\/osimindia.com\/post\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/8-ways-to-manage-stress-4.jpg 750w, https:\/\/osimindia.com\/post\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/8-ways-to-manage-stress-4-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. Massage<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Besides exercise, enjoying a massage will also release endorphins and other feel-good neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine. All these will aid in balancing your mood, combat muscle tension and pain, a common issue people face when under stress. In just 15 to 30 minutes \u2013 best if it\u2019s in the comfort of your own home \u2013 feel all your worries melt away along with your deep-seated muscle knots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/osimindia.com\/post\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/8-ways-to-manage-stress-5.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-194\" srcset=\"https:\/\/osimindia.com\/post\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/8-ways-to-manage-stress-5.jpg 750w, https:\/\/osimindia.com\/post\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/8-ways-to-manage-stress-5-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6. Make time for yourself<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition to lifestyle changes, it is important to put yourself first by having some \u201cme-time\u201d. It will allow you to focus on yourself, reflect&nbsp;and de-stress. \u201cMe-time\u201d can be anything, from treating yourself to a facial mask or a long, relaxing bath.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/osimindia.com\/post\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/8-ways-to-manage-stress-6.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-195\" srcset=\"https:\/\/osimindia.com\/post\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/8-ways-to-manage-stress-6.jpg 750w, https:\/\/osimindia.com\/post\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/8-ways-to-manage-stress-6-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">&nbsp;7. Prioritize<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>As much as we want to check everything off our to-do list or to complete our weekend errands, sometimes it is just not physically possible. Instead, set realistic and achievable goals for yourself so that you do not feel annoyed or discouraged. Setting goals gets you to organize and evaluate your tasks so you can prioritize the important things in your life and best maximize your time<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/osimindia.com\/post\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/8-ways-to-manage-stress-7.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-196\" srcset=\"https:\/\/osimindia.com\/post\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/8-ways-to-manage-stress-7.jpg 750w, https:\/\/osimindia.com\/post\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/8-ways-to-manage-stress-7-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">8. Mindfulness techniques<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Stressful thoughts can arise from dwelling on or revisiting past stressful situations and it might cause unnecessary anxiety because you are focusing too much on past negative emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you start recognizing negative, stressful thoughts, you can now start to counteract against them through meditation or mindfulness techniques. They can help nurture the practice of being aware of your positive and negative emotions, thus making it easier for you to stop negative emotions from manifesting. Common techniques include mindful breathing (controlled, focused breathing) and when you are calmer, you can have better control of your emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/osimindia.com\/post\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/8-ways-to-manage-stress-8.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-197\" srcset=\"https:\/\/osimindia.com\/post\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/8-ways-to-manage-stress-8.jpg 750w, https:\/\/osimindia.com\/post\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/8-ways-to-manage-stress-8-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Bonus tip: Stay grateful &amp; be positive<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Last but not least, the best way to keep the positive energy going is to cultivate positive thoughts daily. By staying grateful, you re-model your thought process to focus on the good you have in your life. You can start by keeping a small \u2018gratefulness\u2019 notebook and jotting things down like \u2018I am happy to have a roof over my head\u2019 or \u2018I am grateful to have my family with me\u2019. This way, you are then actively seeking out the good in your everyday life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/osimindia.com\/post\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/8-ways-to-manage-stress-9.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-198\" srcset=\"https:\/\/osimindia.com\/post\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/8-ways-to-manage-stress-9.jpg 750w, https:\/\/osimindia.com\/post\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/8-ways-to-manage-stress-9-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>[1] Maresh, C. M., Whittlesey, M. J., Armstrong, L. E., Yamamoto, L. M., Judelson, D. A., Fish, K. E., &#8230; &amp; Castracane, V. D. (2006). Effect of hydration state on testosterone and cortisol responses to training-intensity exercise in collegiate runners. International journal of sports medicine, 27(10), 765-770.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Everyone has experienced stress at least once in his or her life, and that is definitely not an overstatement. Yet, when it feels like you are constantly drowning in stress, it is time to take a step back and make some changes.&nbsp; Here are 10 ways you can to manage and reduce your stress. 1. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":190,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-189","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-live-well"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/osimindia.com\/post\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/189","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/osimindia.com\/post\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/osimindia.com\/post\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/osimindia.com\/post\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/osimindia.com\/post\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=189"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/osimindia.com\/post\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/189\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":199,"href":"https:\/\/osimindia.com\/post\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/189\/revisions\/199"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/osimindia.com\/post\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/190"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/osimindia.com\/post\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=189"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/osimindia.com\/post\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=189"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/osimindia.com\/post\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=189"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}