Health and wellness

Have you ever wondered what you can do to reduce your stress? Well, the American psychological association states that the three top things to help your stress levels drastically are sleep, mindfulness, and exercise. Especially with the holidays approaching, things can get very stressful. There are many new and improved ways to deal with it so let’s get started! 

One of the top Mindful ways for teens from ages 12-18 to deal with either temporary or chronic stress is to deep breathe. Now, deep breathing can sound a little ridiculous at first, but it has been proven to lower blood pressure and stress! The first steps to responsible deep breathing are:

1.  Find a quiet and comfortable space

2. Close your eyes

3. Focus on your breathing and your thinking only

4. Take a long inhale for 5 seconds

5. Then take a relaxed exhale for 4 seconds

That is just one effective way to calm your mind during high stress! And better yet there are many more to come!

Exercise is the second-best way to lower stress levels. This is because it gives your mind a moment of breath. It helps people let themselves refocus. The U.S Department of Health and Human Services recommends 60 minutes of activity for all ages per day. Some activities to do that are,

1. Swimming

2. Tennis

3. Wrestling

4. Running

5. Cycling

6. Yoga

7. Basketball

Any of these sports can and will release endorphins into your body, therefore, clearing your head!

The third way to lower stress levels is Sleep. Yes, I know you want to stay up all night either playing video games, staying on social media, or even doing homework. But, one of the best ways to find success is through good habits… Including sleep habits. The American Academy of Sleep clearly states that children from the ages of 6-12 should get 9-12 hours of sleep. And teens from ages 13-18 should get 8-10 hours of sleep per night. Sleep drastically affects mental health and relaxation. So, making good choices with your schedules and times of when and which you choose to do things like homework, watching t.v., or playing Fortnite is crucial to lowering stress levels.

These three simple actions are super helpful for me and many others. I hope you find these suggestions helpful too! Make sure to take care of yourself and others. 

Sources: 

American Psychological Association

The U.S Department of Health and Human Services 

American Academy of Sleep