Relaxation can be one way to deal with stress. You can easily do this method at home and it doesn't cost a fortune. Not only that, relaxation can also prevent various health problems triggered by stress.
Prolonged stress can have a negative impact on physical and mental health if not managed properly. This condition can trigger various diseases, such as headaches, anxiety disorders, to depression. Therefore, it is important to control stress and one of them is relaxation.
Multiple Techniques Relaxation to Manage Stress
Relaxation can be done in several ways. Here are some relaxation techniques you can try:
Breathing exercises
This relaxation technique is done by taking long and deep breaths, then exhaling through the nose or mouth slowly. Do it repeatedly until you feel calm and more relaxed. You can also do it with your eyes closed.
This breathing technique can be done anytime and anywhere, either in a standing position, sitting, or lying in bed. However, make sure you do it in the most comfortable position possible.
Meditation
In addition to breathing exercises, you can also do meditation as a relaxation method to relieve stress or anxiety. You can start meditation by sitting on the floor and folding your legs.
Close your eyes, relax, and try to focus on something, for example by imagining a picture, thinking of a word, or hearing your own breath.
A study shows that regular meditation for at least five minutes every day can stimulate the part of the brain that controls stress and anxiety.
Music therapy
Music has been known for thousands of years as an art form that has healing properties. Each type of music generally has a different effect for each listener, depending on their tastes or the type of music they like.
Research has shown that music can relieve anxiety, improve mood, slow down the heart rate, and reduce blood pressure. You can also do other relaxing activities while listening to music.
Yoga
Research has shown that a combination of breathing exercises and muscle stretching in yoga can make you feel better mood better. Another positive effect of yoga as a mind relaxation technique is that it reduces anxiety and makes you feel calmer and happier.
Diseases Caused by Stress
Previously it has been explained that uncontrolled stress can trigger the emergence of various diseases or even worsen the health problems that are being suffered. Well, here are some diseases that can appear or are affected by stress:
1. Headache
Stress is the most common trigger for various types of headaches, whether tension headaches, migraines, or cluster headaches. Stress is also known to make headaches worse.
To deal with stress headaches, you can take simple steps with the relaxation techniques above. In addition, managing stress well can also prevent headaches from recurring.
2. Ddepression
Uncontrolled and prolonged stress can make you depressed and over time can trigger depression. If you feel hopeless, emotionally unstable, your body feels tired and lethargic, and you don't have an appetite, it could be that you are depressed.
If the various relaxation techniques above are not able to relieve the symptoms of depression that you are experiencing, try consulting your condition with a psychologist or psychiatrist.
3. Heartache
Stress can also increase a person's risk of developing high blood pressure and heart problems. Severe stress that occurs suddenly and has an emotional impact can also trigger a heart attack.
This happens because when stressed, the heart beats faster and blood flow increases. High stress levels can even trigger unhealthy lifestyles, such as overeating, consumption of alcoholic beverages, and smoking habits, which in turn increase the risk of heart disease.
4. premature aging
A stressful lifestyle can trigger an inflammatory response in the body and disrupt sleep patterns. In addition, stress hormones and inflammation can also trigger signs of premature aging.
5. Diabetes
People with type 2 diabetes need to be vigilant when experiencing stress. Prolonged stress can trigger an increase in blood sugar levels. Stress can also make diabetics not pay attention to the diet they eat, thus triggering an increase in blood sugar.
Stress can be experienced by anyone and occurs at any time. By doing relaxation regularly for at least 15 minutes every day, you can control or prevent stress before it has a further impact on your health.
If the stress you experience does not subside after doing the various relaxation methods above or you experience symptoms of depression or other health problems caused by stress, do not hesitate to consult a psychiatrist or psychologist so that appropriate treatment can be carried out.