Top Tips for Managing and Reducing Your Stress Levels

It’s an unfortunate truth that everyone experiences stress at some point. Even if you are a particularly laid-back and relaxed person, it’s impossible to avoid stress at all times. 

 

In some circumstances, feeling stressed can actually be a positive thing; for instance, if you have an upcoming exam or job interview, a bit of stress can motivate you to get prepared and, hopefully, achieve your desired grade. However, dealing with unproductive stress, when you’re feeling weighed down and overwhelmed, can sap your energy and leave you feeling distressed.

 

If you find yourself getting stressed often, whether you have a particularly demanding job or hectic social life, you’ll know just how taxing it can be. Fortunately, while stress is inescapable, it can be manageable. Finding stress-relieving activities that work for you is key to easing the pressure you’re feeling and reducing your stress levels, so it’s important to invest time in yourself.

 

To help you find ways that work for you, we’ve put together our top tips for managing and reducing your stress levels. Here’s what we suggest: 

Laugh!

 

This is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to reduce our stress levels. As they say, laughter is the best medicine, so if you’re feeling overwhelmed or snowed under, make time to watch something comedic, meet up with your funniest friend or spend time around young children. Laughter triggers the release of positive hormones and can relieve tension in the body, so give it a try next time you’re feeling stressed. 

Find a form of exercise that feels good for you 

 

Sometimes, there’s no better stress relief than moving your body. Whether you’re a keen runner, swimmer, climber or dancer, finding a form of exercise that feels good for you can be a great way to reduce the stress you’re feeling. This is because physical activity helps your body to produce and release endorphins, which are hormones credited with making us feel happy. 

 

An endorphin release can also be triggered by a brisk walk or cycle, so even if you can’t fit a nightly workout into your routine, make sure you incorporate a short stroll or bike ride into your day.

Practise yoga

 

When we’re stressed, we tend to hunch our shoulders, clench our jaws and hold tension in our bodies. Over time, these physical symptoms can make the problem worse; if our bodies feel stressed, we’re also likely to feel tense and anxious. One great way to relieve the tension in our bodies and relax our minds is to practice yoga, which is seen as a spiritual and meditative practice as well as a form of exercise.

 

In addition to encouraging the release of endorphins, practising yoga can help us manage our stress levels by teaching breathing exercises and relaxation methods. It has been a form of relaxation for thousands of years and is suitable for people of all ages.

Take regular breaks

 

When we’re stressed at work, it can feel all-consuming. It’s difficult to put everything into perspective when we spend every day under the same roof working on intense projects and meeting tough deadlines, but doing so is necessary to manage our stress levels. Give yourself regular breaks away from your desk, preferably by stepping outside for a few minutes, to give your eyes and mind a quick rest. 

Enjoy a cup of decaffeinated tea

 

Enjoying a cup of tea is a great way to take a quick break and give your mind a rest from the hustle and bustle of your day-to-day life, however, ingesting too much caffeine can have the opposite effect. As caffeine is a natural stimulant, drinking too many caffeinated drinks can leave you feeling jittery and on edge. Caffeine can also keep you awake at night and affect your sleep quality, which as everyone knows, plays an important role in your mood the next day.

 

So, to enjoy the benefits of a warming cup of tea without the natural stimulation, opt for a decaf option. There are many naturally caffeine-free options available, so make sure you check the packet before making a brew. 

 

CBD-infused tea has also become a popular option in recent years, especially due to the relaxing benefits of cannabidiol, so this may be something you want to try. 

Make sure you get plenty of sleep

 

It’s no surprise that we feel grumpy and fed-up after a bad night’s sleep. When we’re tired, our memory, mood and metabolism all suffer, meaning we’re more likely to feel extra hungry and sluggish if we don’t get enough sleep. It’s generally acknowledged that the average adult needs between seven to nine hours of sleep per night, however, this won’t be true for everyone. If you find yourself falling asleep throughout the day, consider having a nap for a quick daytime boost. 

Spend time outdoors

 

It’s been proven that spending time outdoors is one of the most important things we can do to improve our mental and physical health, with natural light and fresh air doing wonders for our anxiety levels. Spending time in nature, whether it’s going for a walk through the woods or paddling in the ocean, has been linked to reduced cortisol levels and decreased heart rates, and luckily we don’t have to go far to enjoy the benefits of what’s been called ‘forest therapy’.

 

If you spend all day in an office, school, factory or any other kind of commercial environment, use your lunch breaks to get outside and find a wooded area or tree-lined road; this will give your eyes a welcome screen break and let you stretch your legs. 

 

Walk the dog

 

Spending time in nature is great stress relief, and what better way to encourage yourself to get outdoors than by walking your dog? Not only will you be more inclined to get outside the city and find patches of woodland or rugged mountainous terrain, but spending time with animals has also been linked to lower cortisol levels and reduced blood pressure! 

 

Turn off your phone

 

Today, we’re expected to be available 24/7. As a result, we feel guilty if we don’t respond to our boss’ emails throughout the evening or don’t reply to our friends’ texts when they come through in the night. However, it’s important to make time for yourself, and creating boundaries between you and the people who put too much pressure on you is key. 

 

One simple way to do this is to switch off your phone for a couple of hours in the evening. During this time, you can read a book or take a bath undisturbed without feeling the need to check your phone every 10 minutes. 

Keep a journal

 

For many people, keeping a journal is a great way to reflect on their day and the things that went well. By making a conscious effort to list the positive aspects of your day and to dwell on the good, not the bad, you’ll find yourself putting your stressors into perspective a little more. Keeping a journal is a brilliant way to remind yourself of the best parts of your day and prevent yourself from dwelling on the things that made you stressed. 

 

Find a CBD-infused product that works for you

In recent years, we’ve been made aware of the huge long list of benefits of cannabidiol, otherwise known as CBD. As a chemical compound extracted from the cannabis plant, many people assume that taking CBD, whether in oil form or infused in a drink, will leave you feeling ‘high’, but that’s just not true. 

 

Unlike THC, which is a psychoactive cannabinoid found in cannabis, CBD won’t affect your memory, make you feel paranoid or increase your appetite. However, it has been linked to anxiety and pain relief, making it a popular remedy for many people looking to manage their stress levels.

 

CBD is available in many forms, which is another reason why it’s become so popular; after all, this gives people the option to find a product that suits them and their lifestyle best. Many people decide to ingest CBD oil, however, a much tastier and more refreshing option is to try a CBD-infused drink. 

 

CBD drinks come in a variety of different flavours and are a unique alternative to alcohol, making them a top choice for people hoping to reduce their stress levels without the hangover!

 

Little Rick Drinks: Delicious CBD-infused drinks expertly blended to help you unwind

 

Relaxation is just a sip away with Little Rick drinks! Our delicious mocktails blend fruity flavours with the highest legal limits of CBD, CBG and CBC to create the most refreshing cannabinoid drink on the market. Without the calories, sugar or hangovers that come from alcoholic beverages, Little Rick mocktails are the perfect treat. 

 

To make sure you feel the full, relaxing effects of our drinks fusions, we’ve even blended them with LCT and MCT carrier oils, improving their bio-availability and allowing the ingredients to be absorbed by your bloodstream quickly and more effectively. 

 

Available in three delectable flavours - Raspberry Coconut, Mint & Lime and Piña - Little Rick drinks are sure to tantalise your tastebuds. To shop our range of delicious Little Rick mocktails, please don’t hesitate to browse our selection online.