Stress is a part of everyday life. There is so much stress from trying to do too much. Too much stress is not good for you. Stress causes an increasing respiration rate, pulse and heartbeat, hormonal production and muscle tension. It often interrupts sleep patterns. Stress can lead to weight gain. There are a lot of evening relaxation techniques that you can try to help reduce stress.
1. Control your environment
One way to promote better relaxation is to ensure that your environment is stress-free. The environment needs to be calm and quiet. The lights should be dim. You can use earplugs in noisy environments. You could also use soothing sounds or white noise to mask noise.
2. Watch what you eat
Eating heavy meals near bedtime and consuming sugar and caffeine can interfere with your sleep. These foods make sleeping harder. Caffeine can keep you up. Drink beverages that promote relaxation such as chamomile tea and milk instead. These drinks promote relaxation and sleep.
3. Changes in lifestyle
Getting regular exercise can reduce stress and promote relaxation. Exercise can also disrupt the sleeping pattern because it raises the body temperature, adrenaline and cortisol hormone, which mimics the body's response to stress. For this reason, you should avoid vigorous exercise right before you go to bed. You should also quit smoking, if you smoke. Using electronics such as phones and tablets can be distracting. Try reading or listening to soothing music instead.
4. Deep breathing exercises
Deep breathing exercises are a good way to relax and relieve stress. Taking cleansing breaths will take your mind off distractions and help you focus on breathing instead. Deep breathing exercises slow down the respiration rate: Inhale deeply through the nose, hold the air in your lungs, then slowly exhale through the mouth. This technique can be used with other relaxation techniques to make you calmer.
5. Meditation
One benefit of meditation is that it allows you to fully focus on the present without overanalyzing the situation. It reduces stress, anxiety and other negative emotions by focusing on the present rather than worrying about the past or future. Meditation can enhance feelings of relaxation and reduce stress and negativity.
6. Yoga
Yoga is a very popular relaxation technique. The yoga poses can help reduce stress and improve the body's circulation. Yoga used with deep breathing exercises will provide better stress relief.
7. Massage therapy
Massage therapy can provide deep relaxation by improving blood circulation and relieving muscle tension. Hot showers also help relax the body. Both approaches help relax the body by soothing the muscles and releasing oxytocin to relieve anxiety and stress.
8. Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is the art and science of using scents to promote the health of mind, body, and spirit. There are many scents that relax the body and mind and help you sleep better. Some of these include chamomile, lavender and rose. These scents can be incorporated in oils or candles. Breathing in the scents is similar to how sedatives work. It can also promote stress relief.