It’s needless to say that we live in a world filled with stress. This year is especially stressful – on top of all the usual things that irritate us, we also have a global pandemic on our hands along with all the uncertainty that comes with it. Add this to the numerous conflicts, riots, and overall scary news pouring on us from the media all day long.
Fighting stress is important – and especially important in these trying times. So, let’s take a look at a few proven ways in which you can unwind after a stressful day that doesn’t require you to leave the house.
Take a bath
Your body reacts to stress in many distinct ways – one of them is an involuntary contraction of the muscles. When stressed, your body becomes tense. Just think of how many times you find yourself clenching your jaws when you’re nervous.
Taking a hot bath will help you relax by helping your muscles lose the tension accumulated during the day. Stretching in the water will increase this relaxing effect (if your bathtub is big enough, of course). As an added benefit, a hot bath can also help relieve lower-back pain – a side effect of a sedentary lifestyle, something we had to get used to this year.
Play some games
Video games are a pretty controversial means of stress relief – but one that works, research shows. A study conducted by researchers at the Ambry-Riddle Aeronautical University has shown that playing casual games, like the ones you’ll find at the JackpotCity Casino, is better at relieving stress than meditation or guided relaxation. Other researchers found that playing video games after a stressful day provides players with a means to “release the pressure”. Moreover, another study published this summer has shown that simple games like slot machines and other games may even show promise in helping to treat anxiety, depression, low mood, and stress.
Exercise
Finally, here’s one that’s very important now that we’ll probably spend more time at home than ever (both for the holidays and because of the pandemic): exercise. Moving your body has several benefits, and fighting stress is just one of them.
When gyms are closed and the weather is too bad for a run (although you can do it even in sub-zero temperatures with the right preparations), you can still work out at home doing a few simple but effective things: sit-ups, squats, crunches, planks, calf raises, push-ups, dips, and even deadlifts if you have an object that’s heavy enough. Not to mention there are also some great fitness games on Nintendo Switch that have motion sensors so it will be certainly a new experience.
Physical activity helps your body generate endorphins, neurotransmitters that help relieve pain and improve your mood, and distract you from all the stressful things that you’ve come across throughout the day.
