Stress can be one of the worst things in your life. It can cause weight gain, other mental and physical health problems and often stands in the way of you meeting your goals. For many, stress takes a lot out of their life, which is why so many turn to expensive methods to help reduce the stress they feel. For those on a tight budget, stress can feel like a never ending burden that only grows bigger as time passes. Luckily, there’s a few things you can do to help take care of your stress that won’t force you to feel like you’re going to go bankrupt over the problem. These ten suggestions may help you channel your own inner peace and won’t force you to give up a huge chunk of your money just to find relief from the problem.
1. Take a Tech Break
In our busy world, technology seems to take over our lives without us even realizing it. It doesn’t matter if you love chatting the day away with friends on social media or if you have to be tied to your phone or email for work because technology can bring you down no matter the reason you use it. If you want to deal with some of your stress, then try shutting down the devices in your home. The phones can be turned off as can the computers, gaming consoles, televisions sets and anything else that will steal away your attention. At first, you may feel a little anxious that you aren’t constantly being bombarded by the outside world, but after a day or two, you’ll find that living life without something attached to your face could help you feel invigorated. Of course, when it comes down to it, a lot of people can’t make this switch because of work. Although the office may require you to be connected during the work hours, you can turn your devices off the moment you clock out. If this isn’t the case, then limit the amount of times you look at your phone or check your email. While you’re enjoying your technological detox, keep yourself busy. Try going outside for some fun and fresh air. Another great option is to read a book, work on housework or begin the art project you’ve been thinking of.
2. Walk
For years, people walked just about anywhere they wanted to go. Now, we have cars that take away the physical burden. The only problem is, walking has been proven to reduce stress on the mind and body. Walking is one of the best ways to keep your body relaxed while burning calories. Plus, the soothing motions of the walk will give you time to clear your thoughts and get rid of any stress that has been building up during the day. In many cultures, especially with Buddhists, walking is a part of life that should be done every day because it helps with inner peace while helping the individual feel connected to the world as a whole. Of course, doctors also recommend that you walk at least 30 minutes a day, which might be a great indicator of the health benefits it brings. If you’re still not convinced, walking will help you lose weight, which is sure to help you ditch some of your extra stress anyway.
3. Meditate
Another great practice, taken from Buddhist culture, is meditation. Often, when a person is encouraged to mediate, they feel intimidated because the activity may seem boring or pointless. One of the major problems with meditation for most people is shutting down the mind so that they can relieve themselves of the stress that life brings. Sure, when you try meditation you may be less than an expert, but before you know it the activity will finally start to reveal some major benefits. If you’re having trouble with meditation, then consider your surroundings. Often, we have too many distractions going on, which makes it impossible to center ourselves. A room with less items in it, including technological devices, can help make this easier. You may even want to get your entire family in on meditation time. It is said that if we taught all 8 year olds to meditate, that violence would be eliminated from society in a mere generation. So, if this is the case, think about how much the activity would help reduce stress that’s eating away at your daily life and happiness.
4. Coloring Books
Adult coloring books are huge. If you’ve managed to miss out on the trend then now might be the time to grab yourself a coloring book so you can find some relaxation. There’s just something special about taking a walk down memory lane to the days of childhood coloring that will help you relax. They make coloring books in a wide assortment of themes, so you should be able to find something that catches your interest. The best thing about coloring books is you can have the kids sit down and color too, which means you’ll get some much needed quiet time while you sit down and relax. Of course, if you’re not willing to spend the money on a coloring book then you can always surf the web to see if there’s any coloring sheets that will suit you. Also, you can always scan and print the pages from a book so that you can keep using it over and over again.
5. Laugh
Of all of the cheap ways to help heal your stress, laughter is probably the best one of all. Laughter is so good for mental and physical health that it’s a wonder why so many people don’t laugh on a daily basis. So, if you’re really feeling down, try to work up a good laugh using past memories or joking around with your friends and family. If you’re feeling like you want some alone time, then go to the movies to see a comedy or simply put on your favorite comedic movie at home. Another great option is to take a night for yourself and see a stand-up comic. The more you laugh, the better you’ll feel so feel free to crack up even if the jokes aren’t exactly the best. Before you know it, you’ll feel energized and ready to take on whatever problems are getting you down.
6. Get a Massage
One of the most relaxing things you can do to help reduce stress and tension is to get a massage. Some people believe they have to spend a small fortune on a massage at a spa or through a masseuse, but there are ways around this problem. For instance, if you’re willing to spend some money on a massage then you might look at the prices of students in the area. Sometimes, you can even go to a massage school and receive a massage at no cost you. If you’re a student, then your on-campus health service might offer massages to help reduce stress during exam periods or throughout the semester. If free suits your budget even more then you may want to consider asking your partner for a massage. This can be a great way to bond with one another, especially if the stress has been getting in the way of your relationship. Apart from these methods, you may want to invest in a massage chair or back or foot massager. It may seem like the price is outrageous, but as you add up how much you’ll save in the long run you’ll see it’s a great investment.
7. Journal
Back in the day, journaling used to be a common thing for adults to do. Even teenagers enjoy the benefits of journaling. However, as we grow older we tend to find a number of things we’d rather do than journaling. It may be time to channel your inner teenager and get back into the activity. Whether you choose to write in a notebook or keep a personal blog, getting all of your feelings out can prove to be one of the best ways to relieve yourself of stress without paying a small fortune. Best of all, scientist have recently stated that writing and journaling can have great effects on the brain and mental health.
8. Ditch the Jolt
Although you may think that caffeine has a positive effect on your mood, you might find that your daily jolt could be causing you even more stress. Sugar can also be a quick way to make your stress elevate, which means the milk chocolate may not be a wise choice when you’re feel down due to your stress. In fact, anything that gets you moving faster than you normally would is a sure fire way to make your stress levels escalate, even if you do feel better after a couple of minutes of taking the stimulant. However, if you take a week or so away from coffee, tea, sweets and energy beverages then you may find your body relaxes faster. This will help you not sweat the small stuff, so you can get back to a stress free life.
9. Spend Time with the Fur Baby
It doesn’t matter if you have a cat or a dog, because spending time with animals can help cut back on your stress significantly. Dogs, for instance, tend to have a happy demeanor which will spread to you as the two of you play. Pets also encourage you to get outside more as you take them for walks or play games with them. This can help destress your body and mind, while allowing you to get healing exercise. Apart from play time, petting your animal can help reduce stress and lower blood pressure significantly. It is even proven that cats’ purrs will help heal the body while taking away stress. If you don’t have a fur baby then there’s still ways you can enjoy these benefits. Of course, adopting a pet is one of your best options as it will save a life and make you feel amazing. However, if you can’t have a pet then consider offering a pet-sitting service or volunteer to walk your neighbor’s dogs. If you love cats then see if there’s a cat café in your area, so you can enjoy play time while catching up on a good book or gossiping with a friend.
10. Enjoy Music
If there’s one way to get more out of life, it’s definitely listening to music. When you’re feeling stressed, try to put on your favorite songs and if you have the urge to dance then go for it. You may be surprised as to how much better you feel after a long day. If you’re feeling stressed at work, then see if you can listen to music quietly in your office or add headphones to your day. One of the best forms of music you can listen to is classical though because it promotes healthy brainwaves that may leave you feeling better faster. Music helps keep us entertained while promoting happiness that works against stress. So, make sure to create some awesome playlists to get you through the day when you’re feeling less than joyous due to stress.
Stress is a part of everyone’s life, but you don’t have to let it take control. These ten tips should help you to find a cheap and efficient way to get past your stress issues, so you can come out on the other side feeling so much better. So, now, money doesn’t have to stand in the way of your stress relief.
