How to reduce stress and reach your full potential
A recent study found that almost 44% of Americans have reported increases in their stress levels in the last 5 years. The increased uncertainty caused by the global pandemic means that figure is likely to rise further. If you’re working from home and want to know how to reduce stress and find a great sense of balance, help is at hand.
Some of the critical processes in our body run on autopilot which is why we don’t have to think about blood pressure, body temperature or breathing rates. They happen automatically due to the autonomic nervous system.
Autonomic nervous system
The autonomic nervous system is comprised of two main systems:
- Sympathetic nervous system
- Parasympathetic nervous system
The sympathetic nervous system orchestrates what is often referred to as the fight-or-flight response when you are under stress. It increases your heart rate and blood flow, quickens your breath, and dilates your pupils.
The parasympathetic nervous system, on the other hand, is sometimes called the rest-and-digest system. After the activation of the fight-or-flight response, this system slows your heart rate and lowers your blood pressure to bring your body back to a relaxed state.
Now you’re probably thinking…okay, sounds good. But how do I access that system that’s going to calm me down?
Breathing
Deep belly breathing, also referred to as diaphragmatic breathing, activates the parasympathetic nervous system. You may be familiar with this type of breathing if you practice yoga or meditation.
Simply stated: if you want an easiest ways how to reduce stress is by taking deep breaths will help stop the flow of stress hormones and calm you down.
How to do deep belly breathing
- Sit in a chair, with your feet firmly planted on the floor. Keep your spine straight, your shoulders, head and neck relaxed.
- Breathe in slowly and deeply through your nose so that you feel your belly expand.
- Exhale slowly and completely (through either your mouth or nose) drawing your navel in towards your spine.
- Try to extend the length of the exhale to be longer than your inhale.
- Repeat 3-5 times.
This short exercise will take you about 30 seconds and can result in many benefits, including slowing down your heart rate, lowering your blood pressure, reducing the flow of stress hormones, and greater focus.
By learning how to reduce stress and taking the steps to improve your wellbeing, you will be better placed to find balance in your life. If you feel like time is slipping away from you, the simple practice of time tracking can also help you stay in control.
Unlock your time
Use an app like Timeular to get a better understanding of how your time is spent and use the insights to make changes to your routine to improve your work-life balance and reduce stress.
Looking for extra guidance?
Our remote working guide is full of tips to help you thrive. From how to plan your day, to ensuring your virtual meetings pass without a hitch, the guide shows how to work remotely and ensure that every minute of your time counts.
