5 Easy Ways To Release Stress Quickly

Stressed out? Life’s got you down? Don’t worry! We’ve all been there! Whether its relationship issues, everyday problems, or our hectic modern lifestyle, you’re not alone when it comes to stress. In fact, a whopping 29% of Malaysians have mental problems due to stress. We want to help you in times of stress! Here are long-term tools you can use to quickly release stress.

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Breathe deeply

This is one of the simplest and most immediate things you can do to release stress. Breathing deeply sends a message to your brain to calm down and relax. A simple and popular breathing exercise you can do is the 4-7-8 method. Breathe in for four counts, hold that breath for seven counts and exhale for eight counts. Go ahead and try it now to see if you feel a little more zen!

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Stress ball

A stress-buster that’s very affordable, lightweight, and can be brought to anywhere. If you’re feeling stressed out, one simple way to use the stress ball is to squeeze it as hard as you can for up to 5 seconds, then relax. The ball takes advantage of the fact that a lot of nerves located in and around our wrists and hands are connected directly to the brain. When you squeeze a stress ball, the nerves and the muscles stimulate and contract, making them stronger. This improves nervous system functioning and decreases hormones, which control and curb stress levels.

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Declutter your work station

There is a direct relationship between your environment and mood. A cluttered space can be overwhelming as it overloads your brain with too much sensory information. Busy and no time to declutter? Focusing on decluttering just your workstation is a great start as that is where a lot of stress happens. Some tips include digitising your documents, ensuring your cables aren’t tangled up, removing redundant cables, and only keeping the things you need.

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Sip green tea

Green tea lowers the stress hormone cortisol. L-Theanine, an amino acid found in green tea leaves, helps you relax and keep stress at bay. The best green tea for calming stress would be matcha as it has relatively higher levels of L-theanine compared to other types of green tea.

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Go for a walk

Even 20 minutes of walking can reduce stress. Walking releases the feel-good hormones of endorphins. If you’re walking outdoors, breathing in fresh air or taking in nature are already natural stress-relievers. Walking may also help you get away from stressors in your previous environment. What if you’re feeling a little lazy? Walking does not have to be done at a fast pace for its stress-relieving benefits. Don’t have a treadmill? Your walk could be just along your street or in a common area at home.
  
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