Tips to combat stress

Stress can be a major contributor to heartburn or indigestion – which is all the more reason to adopt healthy ways of dealing with stress.

Thankfully, finding new ways to cope and relax doesn’t have to involve spending large amounts of time or money, there are plenty of things you can start doing today to relieve the stress in your life.

Rennie takes a look at some of the best things you can do to ease the tension.

1. TRY TO GET OUT AND ABOUT

Stressful situations can increase the level of hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline in your body.

In previous generations, this reaction was a survival mechanism that enabled us to be alert to danger and trigger the ‘fight or flight’ response.

However, in the 21st century there are very few instances in day-to-day life that require such physical responses to stress – which is all the more reason to metabolise the excessive stress hormones.

You don’t have to run miles or spend hours in the gym to feel the benefit either. Here are some simple things you can do to relieve the tension…

Yoga: as mentioned in one of our previous blog posts, yoga has plenty of benefits if you suffer from signs of heartburn, while it’s stress-relieving properties have also been well documented.

Walking: even a gentle stroll has the ability to help de-stress you, helping you burn off excess energy and physically get away from the things in life that bother you.

Lifting weights: all physical activity releases endorphins that help combat stress but the more vigorous the activity, the more get released. So working with weights stresses and tears muscle fibres which increases the amount of endorphins released which, in turn, helps you feel less stressed.

2. MAKE SURE YOU GET ENOUGH SLEEP

A lack of sleep can be a primary cause of stress for many people.

Get into a good routine and maximise the amount of relaxation you have before falling asleep.

Aim to clear your mind of the stresses of the day before getting into bed by taking time to relax by watching TV, reading a book or just sitting quietly. But make sure you stay off your phone and laptop – this will actually stimulate you and make it harder to fall asleep.

You should also try to go to bed at the same time every night so that your mind and body adapt to a predictable bedtime routine and you become ready to sleep.

3. SPEND TIME WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY

Even if it means forgoing a spring clean or other domestic chores, spending time with your close friends and family can really help you de-stress, whilst being open and honest with them about any anxieties you have will also help matters.

It’s not just a case of you talking to them though. Listening to their problems and helping them can also help you realise that everyone has their own issues to deal with.

As always though, if you are worried about your mental or physical wellbeing, then consult your doctor and get expert advice on how you should move forward.