We have to juggle a lot day to day, from our jobs, to social lives and now, the coronavirus pandemic, which stresses out even the most level-headed of us. And whilst stress is an inevitable part of life, it doesn’t make it any easier to handle. 

Stress has a significant effect on your body and mind alike. From causing mental health problems to high blood pressure, it really can wreak havoc on your body, and therefore your life. It has never been more important to battle stress and try to minimize its presence in our lives, so here are 5 tips that will help you stay stress-free in 2021.  

• Improve your lifestyle

A healthy lifestyle is crucial for battling stress, as being unhealthy or having health problems can both be a source of stress and a result of it. First and foremost you should try to eat a balanced diet, but there are also supplements you can take to boost your mood and help combat feelings of stress and anxiety. This includes supplements such as CBD softgels and vitamin D supplements. 

You should also focus on keeping active wherever possible, as exercise has been shown to help with battling feelings of stress by releasing endorphins into our brains. This helps to regulate our mood and help us to feel happy and positive. 

• Take up a hobby

Stress makes us feel negative, so to fight that, we should do things that make us feel good. The majority of the activities we do in our lives such as working and looking after ourselves we have to do, and so there is a certain amount of pressure put on those activities. This means that even if we do a job we enjoy, it can still cause us stress because there is a responsibility to keep ourselves financially afloat attached to it. Hobbies are great because they are responsibility-free and allow us to explore ourselves and work on a new skill. 

• Talk about your problems 

Communication is one of the most effective ways to cope with stress, because it always feels worse when you are battling alone. So reaching out to loved ones to talk to them about your feelings and what is making you feel stressed will allow you to process your feelings, and also receive support from them. 

• Take regular breaks

Something we’re all probably guilty of is working too hard. This can lead to burnout and feelings of stress and anxiety. So battling stress means not working ourselves into the ground and taking regular breaks to rest and recharge. Not only will we feel less stressed, but we will probably perform better and be more productive too. You can take this time to spend time with loved ones, work on a new skill or simply rest and take time for yourself.

• Spend time outdoors

Nature is a powerful force that can help relieve feelings of stress, and all it takes is for us to spend some time outdoors! Whether we choose to go for walks, meditate outside or exercise in the outdoors, being in the fresh air and around nature is proven to help cope with stress. 

These are just a few of the many things we can do to avoid feeling stressed this year, and improve our wellbeing and mental health. The main thing to remember is to prioritize your health and happiness, and you’ll be on your way to a stress-free life in 2021.