Stress is a chronic problem faced by millions of people. And unfortunately, it doesn’t just magically go away. We have to find the energy to reduce our stress levels and avoid getting any illnesses and diseases caused by chronic stress.

What does stress look like?

Stress presents itself in many different physical ways, and some are subtle - so we might not even notice.

Almost everyone has some form of stress in their lives, and usually, it can be managed well. 

If not, you might begin to notice the following things:

• Random aches and spins

• Tight chest, could feel like your heart is racing

• Trouble sleeping even when tired

• Jaw clenching and tense muscles

• Tight shoulders

• Hair becoming thinner

A few stress management techniques are typically recommended to ensure you have a balanced and healthy stress level. 

• Exercise

• Diet

• Sleep

• Relaxation techniques

If you hold a lot of tension in your back, neck, and shoulders, this can be tricky to release without the help of chiropractic care - that tension release can help with stress management over time. 

Exercise

When we use up our energy, we are more likely to have a better night’s sleep - if you have trouble sleeping, it isn’t a guarantee, but it might help. 

We also know that exercise releases all of the hormones that we associate with a good mood. These mood-enhancing hormones build up over time; the more you exercise, the more you have. 

If you haven’t been working out for a while, you can start with something easy like dancing, cycling, or walking. 

Diet

The saying you are what you eat applies here, and while we can’t eat stress, we can eat stress-reducing foods. 

A good diet will strengthen your immune system and reduce stress’s impact on your system. 

This sounds easy at face value, but junk food and sugary foods are even more enticing when you aren’t feeling great since it is usually so quick to grab and consume. 

Try to stick to a tighter diet and fuel your body with fruits, vegetables, and proteins that will make you feel better. 

Sleep

Stress makes it more difficult for us to sleep; if you struggle more than a few days a week, you might have insomnia for more than a few months. 

The first step is to chat with your general practitioner and see if there might be some pharmaceutical options. 

Lack of sleep can also increase your stress levels as you are worried about not sleeping. 

Most often, we have the most amount of trouble falling asleep when we think about falling asleep. When we concentrate on trying to sleep, our brains stay engaged to see if we are sleeping.

Ditching electronics an hour before bed and letting our brains unwind and relax is one of the best ways to help you relax. 

Need extra help sleeping? Read: Not Sleeping? Here's How to Get a Good Rest

Relaxation techniques

The best relaxation techniques will vary from person to person. While some people find that ASMR triggers can help them relax, others prefer to relax by using a punching bag. 

Meditation, yoga, reading, painting, and deep breathing are the techniques that are usually recommended to help with relaxation. 

You might need to try a range of activities until you find what you enjoy.