Why De-stressing Is Vital To A Healthy Lifestyle

You’re a busy person with a lot on your plate. Between family and social obligations, work, and all of your other commitments, worries, and responsibilities, you might think to yourself, “do I really have the time to take a break right now?” The answer to that question should always be yes.

Taking some you-time out to breath and reorient yourself has always been important, but as life in the modern world continues to ramp up and grow more hectic and demanding by the day, de-stressing only becomes more and more vital to a healthy lifestyle and a happy you.

Healthy eating is important, as most of us know. Getting a good balance of every group on the food pyramid, eating plenty of fruits and veggies, and cutting out excessive sugars and fats are all ways that you can improve your body’s functions. Eating well can also elevate your mood and improve your ability to concentrate and focus, which can cut down on the daily stress you face by allowing you to handle situations with a clearer mind. The vitamins and minerals you gain from a good diet can also benefit your body in many ways.

However, according to The Huffington Post treating yourself every now and then is perfectly fine. Being mindful of what you put in your body is great, and treating yourself too much can be bad for you. But having something outside of your diet as a special treat every now and then? That might actually be pretty smart. The feeling of being rewarded can boost your mood just as much as eating healthily can, and if you can melt away some of the worries of daily life with a donut or your favorite drink, all the better.

Different people have different methods of relaxation, or find different activities soothing. HelpGuide.org has a number of mindful relaxation methods for you to try out, including mindful meditation, deep breathing, visualization, and mindful exercise. You may benefit from keeping your body active while your mind relaxes, or you may simply want to rest and not focus on anything during your relaxation time. In any case, mindful relaxation can help you center your emotions and thoughts, allowing you to face the daily grind with a refreshed and renewed outlook once you’re finished.

Not all methods of relaxation have to be mindful, though these methods are often designed to benefit your body and mind beyond the act of relaxing itself. You can just take time out to chill with your favorite activity, too. Watching a good movie or a favorite television show, taking a long bath, baking, or reading are all possible options that can help you wind down and shave away some of your daily stresses.

A little shopping every now and then won’t break your bank as long as you’re budgeting well, and it can help to bring your mood way up. The act of shopping can be stress-relieving in and of itself, as well. And if you’re one of those people who finds fighting crowds at the mall stressful? That’s where online shopping comes in. Stores like tobi allow for you to browse through plenty of gorgeous dresses and other items of clothing from the comfort of your own home. You can buy yourself a new piece for your wardrobe without adding extra stress that comes with having to fight people for parking, competing with crowds, or going all the way to a store only to find that they don’t have anything in your size. Talk about a win-win situation!

As with all things good, moderation is the key to successful de-stressing, but the idea of “treating yourself” isn’t inherently bad. If you don’t take time out for a little spoiling and pampering every now and then, you could find yourself snapping under the pressure of having to constantly deal with life’s little stresses with no way to release those pent-up tensions. Just a little act of self-kindness every now and then can be all you need to boost your productivity, mood, and ability to put your best foot forward in all of the other situations life throws at you.

[Editor’s note: This is a partnership post.]