It’s not hard to see why so many of us exist in a perpetual state of stress. Between working, attending to family matters and maintaining personal relationships, finding the time to unwind and engage in a little self-care can seem daunting. Of course, this isn’t to say that you should simply resign yourself to a life of unending stress. While kicking back and relaxing in such a relentlessly stressful world may present some small challenges, it’s by no means impossible. Anyone looking to enjoy a relaxed mindset and improved mental health in these troubling times can benefit from the following pointers.
Experiment with Cannabis Products
If you live in a state in which recreational cannabis use is legal, experimenting with cannabis and CBD products may prove helpful in keeping your stress levels under control. For starters, if you have little to no experience with weed, ask an expert at your preferred dispensary about strains that are known to reduce stress. The right person will also help you determine the right types of cannabis products for you – i.e., edibles, bongs, etc. Arizonans who reside in the Phoenix area can find the answers they seek by getting in touch with a highly-rated Mesa dispensary.
Utilizing Your Support Network
If you have a solid support network in place, you’d do well to utilize it. Friends, family members and close acquaintances who are likely to come to you when they’re feeling stressed are equally likely to be receptive whenever your stress levels get out of hand. Unfortunately, many of us are hesitant to fully utilize our support networks for fear of seeming weak, vulnerable or needy. However, if you can’t even show vulnerability around your support network, when can you let your guard down?
Seeking Professional Help
Although personal support networks can prove highly conducive to stress relief, they’re no substitute for professional help. While friends and family members will certainly be willing to hear you out and offer advice, they’re unlikely to be able to provide you with the type of coping tools you’ll get from a seasoned counselor or therapist.
Even in 2021, there’s an unfortunate stigma attached to mental health care. As a result, many of us have come to believe that counseling and therapy are only for people whose psychological issues are blatantly obvious. In many people’s minds, suffering in silence is essentially the same thing as not suffering at all – and this mindset needs to change. Regardless of how pronounced or severe your mental health issues are, odds are you stand to benefit from seeking professional help.
Getting Proper Sleep
Your quality of sleep can have a significant impact on your stress levels. The better your sleep quality, the better-equipped you’ll be to face the challenges of the waking world head-on. Conversely, poor quality of slumber is synonymous with mounting stress levels, negative outlooks and decreased coping skills. So, if your nightly respite leaves a lot to be desired, there’s no time like the present to improve your sleeping conditions.
To start with, make an effort to go to bed at the same time and get up at the same time every day. If you’re used to going to sleep and waking up at random times, settling into a new routine is liable to prove somewhat challenging, but after several weeks of practice, these arrangements will seem natural. Additionally, to get your mind in proper sleep mode, try to engage in relaxing activities before bedtime. An hour or so before hitting the hay, take care to turn off any screens and engage in relaxing activities, like meditation, deep breathing exercises or reading.
Even the most collected individuals experience stress at certain points. However, while experiencing small amounts of stress is normal, having stress define your entire existence is not. Unfortunately, since we exist in a culture that celebrates professional burnout and stretching oneself to their absolute limits, it’s not hard to see why stress is so abundant in modern society. If stress has come to dominate your life, relaxing your mind is liable to seem like quite the undertaking. Luckily, with the previously discussed pointers at your disposal, maintaining a calmer mindset should be well within your abilities.
