Anxiety and stress are everyday experiences that all of us face daily. Recent studies show that 70 percent of adults in the United States say they feel stress or anxiety every day. This study was done before the COVID-19 pandemic and last year’s shutdown of the American economy. Over the past year, our society has been forced to deal with the effects of the coronavirus while the structures and resources that we have been accustomed to having in our daily lives (job, faith community, social outings, travel) were removed.
So, as the world comes out of the pandemic, experts believe that there will be long-lasting impacts on people’s emotional health. There is no possible way to completely eliminate stress, but there are some simple actions we can take that can help us navigate through daily life. Here are 8 simple ways to relieve stress and anxiety.
#1 Exercise Daily
Developing a consistent routine of daily exercise is one of the best things you can do to combat stress. It might seem like a contradiction, but physical stress on the body through regular exercise can actually reduce mental stress. People who exercise regularly are less likely to become overwhelmed by stress and anxiety than those who do not exercise.
#2 Consider Supplements
There are many supplements available in the marketplace that promote stress and anxiety reduction. Some of these include glycine, melatonin, B-complex vitamins, and Kava. Also, CBD has become very popular. I’ve been taking it for over a year, and it has helped me tremendously. It’s important to note that some supplements can interact with medications or have side effects. So it’s advisable to consult with a physician if you have a medical condition.
#3 Reduce Caffeine
Caffeine is a stimulant found in many soft drinks, coffee, tea, and energy drinks. High doses can increase anxiety, and those who rely on energy drinks to give them a boost throughout the day may want to consider a better alternative. I wrote about the benefits of Green Vibrance yesterday as it relates to boosting energy. If you notice that caffeine is making you jittery or anxious, you might want to consider cutting back. Some studies show that coffee, in moderation, can offer some health benefits. Every person has different levels of toleration so you must monitor yours. I enjoy my two to three cups in the morning, but for myself, that’s it. No caffeine after about 11:00 a.m.
#4 Cultivate Positive Relationships
I’ll be honest. The most challenging part of this whole COVID-19 pandemic for me personally has been the social distancing aspect. In Genesis 2:18, the first thing God said wasn’t good wasn’t sin; it was isolation. “It is not good for man to be alone.” In some ways, the cure (social distancing) has been worse than the virus itself. That’s why, sooner rather than later, we must come out of this. Our children have to be back in school. Faith communities need to be able to open again. Human beings were not designed for isolation. To expect churches and schools to adhere to social distancing guidelines is not sustainable, nor is it realistic. This past March, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration saw a 338 percent increase in calls to their hotline compared to February. Sadly, mental health does not discriminate. Allowing people to reconnect in person is essential. Individuals must be allowed to weigh in on their personal mental health needs. Faith communities can’t continue to be shut down. Zoom and Google Meets are no substitute for face to face interactions.
#5 Limit Your Media Intake
I posted an article that ruffled a few, not many, feathers last year. When the COVID-19 pandemic forced our nation and much of the world into lockdown, the slogan “We’re all in this together” became the rallying cry that was intended as a unifying message. The notion that “We’re all in this together” is a fallacy. The mainstream media is not in this with us. Former CBS News President Van Gordon Sauter delivered a scathing commentary of many of the major news outlets. Sauter, who served as CBS News president on two occasions in the 1980s, was asked in a Wall Street Journal opinion piece published last year whether a large segment of the public will “ever put stock in journalism it considers hostile to the country’s best interests.” His comments tell the story. I will post links to both articles down below. Mainstream news has capitalized on this pandemic. As the bad news continues to rise, so do anxiety and stress. A successful plan for managing stress must include careful monitoring of how much you allow the negative information in your life. If you are looking for something to lift your spirits, you won’t find it in the news. It might also be a good idea to limit your social media consumption and implement a firm policy of social media distancing for those who love to post negativity. Not every friend in our lives is a good social media friend.
#6 Listen to Music
Listening to music can have a very relaxing effect on the body. My favorites include Jim Brickman and Kenny G. Slow-paced instrumental music can facilitate a relaxation response and help lower blood pressure, heart rate, and stress hormones. It works for me.
#7 Find Your Happy Place
The doom and gloomy media, along with the social media naysayers, criticized states like Florida and Georgia for their early opening last spring. It’s quite apparent now that opening up was good medicine for so many. By the way, don’t expect the media to apologize to Governors Kemp and DeSantis. The bottom line is that people need safe spaces for their mental health. Of course, major news, Netflix, and Amazon preferred people remain locked down in their homes. What better way to guarantee a captive audience than to demand that people stay inside? Hiking, boating, fishing, and swimming are activities that people need to be able to do. I honestly believe it’s criminal that many of the summer camps for children were compelled to shut down last summer because of COVID-19 fears. In essence, a healthy population at minimal risk of serious complications from SARS-CoV-2 (children) was forced away from their happy places. Thankfully, camps are open again this summer, and children are allowed to be children again and enjoy their happy place. Where’s your happy place?
#8 Pray More, Complain Less
We’ve seen a lot of complaining via social media. I’ve done a little myself. However, our best hope for managing stress is casting our cares upon the one who can give us the help and hope we need. In 1 Peter 5: 6-7, we read, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. I believe that in this season of this pandemic, we are also seeing a spiritual revival. God’s timing is always right on time. No better solution for stress than worship, God’s word, and prayer.
I hope you found these tips helpful. Please like, comment, and share. What are some of your favorite strategies to reduce stress and anxiety? Feel free to share.
To your health!
Bill Garner
