Heart Disease is the number one killer in the US according to the CDC. Stress is one of the main contributing factors to heart disease and it’s no secret that our society is stressed out. We’re stressed about money, careers, relationships, children, parents, and so much more. Thankfully, there is an alternative.
Here are 6 easy ways to decrease stress and increase your chances of a longer life.
Exercise – It’s simple, it’s easy, but it takes work. That’s actually going to be a theme throughout our 6 topics. While they are easy, they do take work. As far as exercise goes, all you have to do is get yourself moving. If you’re not an exerciser, then get out and start walking. If you are, make sure you’re consistent in your workouts. Professional athletes exercise at least 340 days each year. You must treat your life, health, and well-being like a professional athlete. You don’t have to exercise as intensely, but you do have to stay active. I always say, “You don’t have to go fast, but you do have to go!” Bike, run, swim, do HIIT training, yoga, whatever, just make it happen. You will become less stressed and happier.
Relax – I’ve been guilty of avoiding this one. Sometimes we wake up in the morning, jump start our day, and before we know it, we crash into bed and do it all over again. There has to be a better way, right? There is. Make sure you schedule time to relax. You can meditate, go for a walk (without your telephone), watch some brainless television, or a multitude of other options. Make sure you start scheduling time for yourself to reboot. Sleep is incredibly important, but cannot be the only way you rejuvenate.
Put down your phone – A recent study came out of Knottingham University in the U.K. showed that people checked their phone 85 times every day! 85 times! To be completely transparent, I’m sure I’ve been guilty of this from time to time. But, I’ve developed a saving grace for myself. I block out times when I don’t pick up my phone. The dinner table is one example. Family time with my wife and child is another. This is all about being mindful and present in a given situation. The less distracted we are, the more focused we will be, which will help us be less stressed.
Stop Multi-tasking – I know, you’re super cool and you have superhero powers. You can do 17 things at once, remember 600 names and spell them all backwards in three languages. No. You can’t. In a study I heard on NPR, science shows that we humans do not multitask well, we just switch from topic to topic very quickly. Give yourself the opportunity to do one thing at a time and begin to see how well you do. I bet you become more focused and calmer very quickly.
Breathe Deep – This is one of my favorites. It’s by far the simplest of them all. It does take some reminding and some practice. As a yoga teacher, I always tell people that your breath is a tool for you to relax. Not enough people use it that way. Most people are unconscious about their own breathing, yet when they discover how to use their breath, the world becomes a better place. Proper breathing helps change your perspective. My first recommendation is to begin with a deep inhale, hold that breath in for 3-5 seconds, then exhale and repeat. If you do this 5-10 times, I guarantee you will find yourself more relaxed than when you began.
Laugh – I know, it may sound simple, but it’s not always as easy as it seems to have a great belly laugh. You’ll forget all about those stresses while your tearing up from laughter. My wife and I consistently laugh at and with our 1 year old. She’s so cute and she’s learning how to play peek-a-boo. She thinks she’s so funny. She covers her eyes, we say, “Where’d Madison go?” then she takes her hands away and opens her eyes. It’s the cutest thing. Sometimes she covers her eyes and uncovers them before we can even get through the question. If you don’t have kids of your own, find something else that makes you laugh. Laughter is a cure!
Even if you don’t feel like you might die of heart disease, you can always use these techniques to lower your stress. The better your coping toolbox is, the more graceful you will deal with life’s unexpected times. As always, I’m happy to help you along the way. Either find me on twitter @teddymcdonald or try out my 7 day meditation course and get a great start to meditation basics.
Originally published on the author’s website.