10 Best Activities for Stress Relief

10 February 2022

Exhaustion, sleepless nights, palpitations, concentration problems, irritability, and aches and pains—these are some of the signs your body exhibits when it’s feeling a significant amount of stress. While stress is not a new concept, the pandemic certainly made it all too common as people were overwhelmed with sudden changes at work, in their finances, and in their day-to-day lives.

Stress manifests differently in people. Statistics show that 77% say it affects their physical state, 73% feel it negatively impacts their mental health, while 48% report trouble sleeping. People, especially those who work from home, feel unmotivated and experience burnout quickly.

When this happens, and you fail to address the problem, it may affect your surroundings, relationships with other people, or worse, progress into an illness.

That said, when you feel stress kicking in, it’s best to address it head-on and do something to relieve it. Check out what you can do to take a break and recharge for a clearer mind and a healthier body.

Do breathing exercises first thing in the morning

There’s nothing quite as relaxing as doing breathing exercises the moment you wake up. Try to do it for 3 to 5 minutes. You can sit on a chair or cross your legs as you sit on the floor. Clear your head of worries, breathe in and out slowly and deeply, and focus on how the air fills your lungs as they expand.

Keep your hands on your knees while doing so. You can find many breathing exercises on YouTube with calming music to guide you.
Pick up a book

Some people workout to relieve stress, while others grab a book to feel their best. A study shows that reading for at least six minutes can reduce stress levels by 60%. With the right title, you can find solace, comfort, and hope in your room.

Recreational reading is a fun yet relaxing way to take a break and cope with mental stress. Give your eyes a break from your phone and computer screen, and get lost in the literary world.
Play with your pets

Do you have a pet? If you do, playtime will always result in something fun! Pets return the love you give tenfold, especially when they sense that it’s what you need. In a time of isolation, these furry creatures provide that much-needed feeling of social support. So when you’re feeling a little down, go and cuddle with your four-legged best friend.
Do a quick workout routine

One of the best activities for stress relief is exercise. In fact, 62% of adults who exercise or walk to manage stress say it is very or extremely effective. Breaking a sweat doesn’t necessarily mean doing high-intensity training or powerlifting. A walk or bike around your neighborhood (if it’s safe) or a simple yoga class can boost your mood.

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Dance to your favorite song

When everything feels too overwhelming, put your favorite playlist on blast and dance like no one’s watching! Like exercising, dancing releases happy hormones or endorphins, improving your mood and easing stress.

Stretch your whole body, including your cramped muscles and neglected joints. Swing your hips and just let the music flow.
Play with some clay

Many kids went through a phase when all they wanted to play with was clay. Why don’t you revisit this now that you’re an adult? This time, you can use air-dry clay or polymer clay to create beautiful pieces like a candleholder, incense holder, trinket dish, photo holder, earrings, and even characters from Pokémon or BT21 for fun.
Get busy with gardening

Being in touch with nature and watching your plant babies grow can be a fantastic way to relieve stress. Watching the plants grow longer or bigger, seeing leaves unfurl, witnessing new shoots growing out, and catching flowers bloom gives a feeling of satisfaction and enhances your mood.

From watering plants to repotting them, you’ll find that gardening brings peace. There’s a lot of learning that comes with planting, and you’ll soon realize that taking care of plants is like taking care of yourself.
Declutter and get to cleaning

Clutter can affect your mood. If there’s too much unnecessary stuff on your desk or your place is messy, seeing that disorder can instantly ruin your day.

Take a day off to go on a cleaning binge. Organize and declutter your desk, clean your wardrobe, wipe down your pantry, and vacuum your floors. The transformation of your space will bring a sense of achievement that can decrease your stress levels
Stress bake!

Baking is a sensory experience—smashing the dough, smelling the cookies or pizza, and tasting the final product can make you forget about the things that stress you out. Moreover, the entire process of baking activates your brain. Preparing the ingredients, mixing, decorating, and putting the finishing touches on your creation will require your total concentration.

If you enjoy doing it, the more fun and comforting it can be.
Go off the grid

Try to spend an entire day without checking social media and spending hours scrolling through feeds. Instead, take some time meditating to calm your mind and body. During this time, you can also try activities that don’t require connection to the internet, such as reading, sewing, knitting, and doing DIY projects.

Break Free from Stress

Don’t ignore stress. While you can’t avoid it, there are ways to manage it. Whether it involves stress in your family or work life, trying some of the activities above to enhance your mood and clear your head.

Amid the ongoing pandemic, you must prioritize your health. BPI AIA makes it easy and convenient to apply for health insurance through virtual appointments. Reach out to one of our Bancassurance Representatives today to learn more.

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10 Best Activities for Stress Relief

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