Stress — The culprit behind sleepless nights, throbbing headaches, stomach discomfort and numerous other health conditions. Whether it is work stress or familial pressures, stress can stem from various aspects of our lives and manifest itself in several ways, taking a toll on our physical and mental well-being.
Sometimes, stress can unknowingly creep up on us, slowly accumulating till the point whereby it incapacitates us. Coupled with the rat race nature of today’s society, it is no surprise that most of us feel an immense need to slough harder to not get left behind. As a result, we are resigned to the fate of suffering intense stress and acknowledging that it’s part and parcel of life. But is it really?
In small and manageable doses, stress can be beneficial to us by forcing us to think our feet as well as facilitating personal growth and skill development. But when we are confronted with a large amount, stress can be debilitating. It is intertwined with various bodily or psychological processes. For example, when placed under strain, your heart beats faster, resulting in higher blood pressure. Over the long run, this might increase your risk of developing cardiovascular disease and stroke. In addition, stress can also wreak havoc on your skin by making you more susceptible to breakouts. This is due to the influx of cortisol in the body, which can trigger a more pronounced inflammatory response, increased sebum production and clogged pores.
Not to mention that long-term stress also puts you in a constant state of uneasiness and anxiousness, thus raising the chances of engaging in obsessive behaviours such as pimple picking or excessive hand washing. As such, there is a higher tendency of developing acne scars due to the persistent pimple picking. This habit may also exacerbate your existing acne scars, making them more prominent than before.
Therefore, to keep these physiological, psychological effects and mannerisms in check, it’s crucial that we take the necessary steps to deal with stress. Whether it is exercising or playing video games, there are many ways to decrease stress. As such, here are 4 interesting stress-reducing activities that you should try as below.
Behold These Stress Relieving Saviours
Depending on your personal preferences, there are various activities that can help alleviate your feelings of anxiety and uneasiness. However, sometimes a few of these activities may have detrimental effects on your health in the long run, when carried out frequently. For instance, if you like going clubbing to let off some steam, there is an increased probability of drinking alcohol regularly whenever you are there or sometimes even smoking. As a result, this can negatively impact your lungs, liver health as well as exacerbate acne. Not to mention that smoking might also increase the likelihood of acne scarring, giving way to deep indented pockmarks or shallow, wave-like scars.
Therefore, when selecting various activities to reduce stress, it’s all about attaining the right balance that can benefit your mind and body while keeping undesirable consequences at bay. As it is not a one size fits all approach, there are certain activities that might work for others but not you. So, even though yoga and meditation may be popular choices for stress-reducing activities, you are advised to weigh their suitability against your likes and interests. If they aren’t your cup of tea, don’t worry as there are plenty of unique stress-reducing activities that you participate in. Here are some:
Colour Therapy
Believed to be useful in soothing feelings of anxiety, colour therapy provide a platform for people to express their creativity while distracting them from various stressors. At the same time, it also gives them a sense of control by allowing them to choose the type of colours and colouring techniques to use. As such, they tend to feel calmer and more at ease as there is lesser uncertainty as compared to many stressors that are usually beyond their control like tight work deadlines or familial commitments.
Smashing Things In A Rage Room
If you often find yourself filled with pent-up anger and frustration, perhaps a visit to the ‘rage room’ will help in allaying these feelings. Depending on the facility and your preference, there will be a variety of objects that you can choose from to destroy while in the room. Ranging from plates to computers, visitors are given the freedom of smashing these items with tools such as a sledgehammer or bat. The rationale behind this act of destruction is that one can relieve stress-induced rage and fury by letting it out, instead of bottling it inside. To top it off, some facilities even go the extra mile by having these rooms modelled after a workplace space, thus resonating with individuals suffering from work stress and providing them with an outlet to vent.
Aromatherapy
Smells are powerful mediums that can elicit various emotions and induce relaxation, which is why they tend to be used in spa and massage establishments. Lavender and ylang-ylang essential oils can aid in bringing about a feeling of serenity and peacefulness, thus reducing your stress levels. Regardless of whether you choose to experience the effects of these essential oils via a diffuser, candle or soap bars, the pleasant aromas are sure to keep your worries at bay. If you are feeling more adventurous, you even attempt to create a personalised scent by attending a perfume workshop.
Dance Movement Therapy
A combination of various dance styles ranging from contemporary dance to waltzing, dance movement therapy is a perfect activity for those who wish to relieve stress while getting some exercise. It also helps people to redirect their focus and turn their negative feelings into uplifting ones.