Did you know that 77% of people experience a physical symptom caused by stress?

Stress is a challenge that most of us face during the course of our week. Many of us have some form of stress to deal with. That stress may be related to work, school, home, finances, or any other variable that is challenging your everyday life. 77% of people experience a physical symptom caused by stress. The same study found that 48% of people in the United States feel their stress has increased in the last 5 years. Excessive stress can cause a plethora of health risks and conditions including heart disease, diabetes, asthma, headaches, depression, and Alzheimer’s disease. How you deal with stress today could have a substantial impact on your quality of life in the future. The good news is there are activities that you can partake in today to relieve stress. In today’s post we will look at 4 activities that can substantially reduce your stress and give you energy during the week.

Believe it or not: 33% of people in the US believe they are living with extreme stress.

Practice Yoga to Reduce Stress

Practicing yoga has been shown to substantially reduce stress. Studies have shown that yoga also lowers heart and blood pressure, relieves anxiety, fights depression, and improves the overall quality of life. Over 90% of individuals practicing yoga do so for wellness benefits. 56% practice specifically to reduce stress. Another benefit of practicing yoga is the ability to perform the act anywhere that you are. All you need to do yoga is yourself. 43% of people who practice yoga do so in the comfort of their own homes. There are not many exercises that can be done so conveniently, without spending money.

Try Breathing Exercises and Mindful Meditation to Reduce Stress

Taking the time to clear your mind and just focus on breathing can be very beneficial. Meditation is still a trend in its infancy. Only 8% of US adults practice meditation as part of their daily routine. Breathing exercises are an easy way to instantly reduce your stress. A great way to get started is to go to a distraction-free room and count your inhales and exhales. Focus only on the act of breathing.

Hit the Gym to Reduce Stress

One of the most popular, and with good reason, ways to reduce stress is by working out on a regular basis. Working out can keep your body healthy and reduce stress at the same time. Working out can fight depression too. 40% of people say they are happier after they work out and 32% say regular exercise reduces their stress substantially. Working out also offers additional health benefits including reduced risk of obesity, better sleep, increased energy, increased strength and flexibility, and improved memory. Just to name a few. It is easy to see why working out is the top go-to choice for reducing stress. The average gym membership costs between $40 and $50 a month. A small price to pay for a lot of benefits.

Play Games

Playing games can be a great way to combat stress and connect with family and friends. Research, funded by RealNetworks, found that playing games can help adults reduce stress, increase relaxation, and improve mental balance. Playing games is a great stress reducer for seniors as well, as there are many games that everyone can play, regardless of mobility, that still provides valuable benefits to players.

It is important that we all do what we can to reduce the stress in our lives. For those wanting to reduce stress, sometimes thinking outside the box and trying new things can help create new and valuable habits that combat stress and provide value. A few of our favorite ways to reduce stress are practicing yoga, hitting the gym, practicing mindful meditation, and playing games. How do you reduce the stress in your life?