12 Best Ways to Reduce Stress Levels for Overall Health

At NaturalNutritionCompany.com, we believe in living happy and healthy lives. Healthy living includes relaxing and finding ways to reduce stress levels. We are constantly connected and engaged through the internet and social media. While this has many benefits, there can also be some negative side effects. Taking care of our mental health is critical to finding overall health and balance. Here are our 12 best ways to reduce stress levels to achieve overall health and happiness.

1. Meditation

I began meditating about ten years ago, which has truly changed my life. I was initially resistant to this practice ( I kept thinking of an Indian man with his back on a spiked bed in my mind), but I have truly achieved great benefits from consistent daily meditation.

Additional Benefits of Meditating:

• Improves concentration and focus
• Calms the mind
• Encourages self-awareness
• Reduces stress and improves the ability to work under stress
• Improves mood
• Can help with depression
• Can improve physical pain

Meditating has many other benefits, and we think it could be a great first step in reducing overall stress and improving health.

2. Read a Book

Reading a book is a great way to reduce stress and relax. Whether you are engaged in a nonfictional topic of interest or step into a world of adventure or mystery, reading has many benefits in addition to managing stress levels.

Additional Benefits of Reading:

• Improves knowledge
• Increases communication and writing skills
• Increases vocabulary
• Better analytical skills

Another great benefit of reading is that you will, in many cases, save money. There are many free sources of ebooks and PDFs online for you to read.

3. Daily Exercise

Exercise is a great way to reduce stress levels and improve overall health. Weight training, riding a bike, Yoga, and even brisk walking are great choices to keep your body healthy and stress levels down.

Additional Benefits of Daily Exercise:

• Increase energy levels
• Reduces risk of chronic diseases
• Improves skin health
• Improves heart health
• Helps with weight loss
• Helps improve your immune system

While there is much benefit to exercise, keep in mind there can be too much of a good thing. Listen to your body, and give it a break when it needs it. Remember to consult your physician before starting any exercise plan.

4. Lose Weight

At NaturalNutritionCompany.com, we always encourage living at a healthy weight. There are numerous benefits to losing weight in addition to reducing stress levels.

Additional Benefits of Losing Weight:

• Less stress on joints
• Improves mood
• Improves heart health
• More energy
• Improves self-confidence
• Less aches and pains

Losing weight can be a very difficult journey if you do not have the right tool

5. Reduce Your Caffeine Consumption

Excessive caffeine intake will definitely increase your stress levels. While we feel a small amount of caffeine can be beneficial, reducing an excessive amount can lower stress in addition to other health benefits.

Additional Benefits of Reducing Caffeine consumption:

• Save money (Starbucks is expensive!)
• Lowers blood pressure
• Better mood
• Improved sleep
• Fewer headaches
• Decreases Anxiety

6. Watch a Funny Movie

Watching funny money is another great way to relieve stress and improve happiness. Some of my best memories are from watching funny movies with my Dads, such as Blazing Saddles, Spaceballs, Fletch, Caddyshack, and many others.

Additional Benefits of Laughter

• Exercises the core(I’ve laughed so hard my abs were sore the next day)
• Improves hormone levels
• Improves heart health
• Boosts immune system

On the flip side of funny movies, scary or intense movies can have the opposite effect and increase stress levels.

7. Yoga

Yoga is a great way to improve health and reduce stress levels. Yoga has been becoming increasingly popular in the last 50 years, and for a good reason.

Additional Benefits of Yoga

• Help lose weight
• Improve athletic performance
• Increase flexibility
• Improve heart health
• Increase mood

Yoga has many other additional health benefits. However, Yoga can be very challenging, especially for beginners. Please consult your physician before starting any exercise program.

8. Unplug from Social Media

We live in a world that is constantly connected to social media. Whether it is Facebook, YouTube, Netflix, Snapchat, Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, and many others, our culture is truly addictive. Smart Phones have made it very easy to stay connected.

However, taking some time away from social media can reduce stress levels. I have found that reducing my social media time has greatly reduced my stress levels and overall happiness.

Instead of focusing on what others are doing in their lives, appreciate and live your own.

9. Take a Vacation (Travel)

Vacations are a great way to reduce stress levels. We all need a break from work and vacations allow us to travel and broaden our horizons. I have been working at a travel company for the past four years and have heard countless testimonials about how travel has improved their lives and increased overall happiness.

Additional Benefits of Travel

• Builds character
• Enhances creativity
• Improves heart health
• Improves bone health
• Can help with weight loss
• Builds relationships
• Reduces anxiety and depression

Many inexpensive trips can be had for much less than you may think. I recommend checking out Avoya Travel for some great deals on cruises, tours, and resorts.

Note: I do not receive any commissions, incentives, or compensation for recommending this company. I just truly believe in the company and the deals they have.

10. Get a Massage

As a Massage Therapist for many years, I can attest to the numerous health benefits. And although massage therapy can be somewhat expensive, you can get a great massage by visiting a massage therapy school.

Massage therapy colleges offer highly discounted rates for those who may be on a budget. Also, foam rollers can produce many of the same benefits as massage therapy.

Check out our article here about Foam Rollers.

11. Take a Nap

While this may not be possible for many of our readers, if you can, taking a short nap can reduce your stress levels and improve overall health.

Additional Benefits of Taking a Nap

• Improves learning
• Prevents burnout
• Improves creativity
• Improves mood
• Improves productivity

Even a short 20-minute nap can have great benefits. Many countries such as Spain, Italy, and China have daily naps. Even companies like Google are seeing a productivity increase with daily napping.

12. Begin Blogging

Writing is one of my favorite activities for reducing stress and improving overall happiness.

With all of the technology we have at our fingertips, starting a blog is an amazing way to not only improve your health but also have a purpose in the world to help others.

To get started blogging, we recommend checking out our sister blog, Random Assets of Life, for a free tutorial on setting up your own website/blog with Bluehost and WordPress here.

You can even make money doing something that you love! If that doesn’t relieve stress, I do not know what will! 🙂