It is safe to say that everyone gets stressed out from time to time because stress is inevitable. Although, it may be impossible to eliminate for good, there are multiple ways to manage and deal with your stress. Here is a list of six easy tips to decrease stress and help with concentration, alertness and focus:

1. Avoid caffeine

Most people have their daily dose of caffeine to be more productive, more alert, and to perform their best, but in reality, it could be having opposite effects. Caffeine, being a stimulant, can sometimes cause anxiety, nervousness, and worrying which can ruin concentration and can occupy a majority of your thinking capacity. Caffeine has also been linked to poor sleep and weight gain in some individuals that are stressed. Limiting caffeine in your diet will drastically improve your stress.

2. Get More Sleep

Getting your body into a sleep routine by going to bed and waking up at the same time each day will help you get a more restful sleep at night and will help you stay asleep longer. A good night sleep is a vital part of a healthy lifestyle. It can benefit your heart, your weight, your mind, your memory and much more. The positive effects that sleep has on the body can decrease stress and improve attentiveness and attention span.

3. Aromatherapy

One of the most effortless yet effective ways to reduce stress is through aromatherapy. Exposing your senses to the smell of essential oils has many positive effects such as hormone production, brain chemistry and stress levels. Some of the scents used to decrease stress and anxiety are rose, mandarin, lavender and peppermint. Essential oils can also be used by rubbing them into the skin to let them soak into the skin and affect the bloodstream.

4. Yoga

A number of studies have shown yoga to decrease stress and anxiety while enhancing your overall mood and well-being. Yoga, being a mind-body practice, helps you focus in on your breathing and and relaxation. The goal is to reach a point a peacefulness in the body and mind. A variety of different yoga classes, from fitness yoga to sunrise yoga, are offered at State gym throughout the semester!

5. Meditation

The goal of meditation is to slow the brain down until eventually the activity in our mind is completely shut off. Studies have shown that meditation is the best form of stress relief. Meditation should be effortless and lead to thoughtless awareness in which all the stress in your mind is neutralised. There are many forms and styles to meditation and what works may be different for every person. Although, there is many apps to help with guided meditation.  

6. Physical Activity

It is safe to say that when your body feels good, so will your mind. Exercise and other physical activity releases endorphins which improve the ability to sleep which in turn helps reduces stress. Exercise is said to be vital to maintain not only physical health but also mental health. Working out can also help increase alertness and concentration.  

Luckily, all these options are an easy fix to your stressful lifestyle. So next time you’re feeling stressed out, get some sleep, hit the gym, and focus on your breathing, and you’ll already be on the right track to a stress-free life.