{"id":1832,"date":"2022-04-06T12:39:29","date_gmt":"2022-04-06T16:39:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.chistell.com\/africanamericanfiction\/?p=1832"},"modified":"2022-10-20T20:45:25","modified_gmt":"2022-10-21T00:45:25","slug":"stressed-out-check-out-these-easy-ways-to-relax","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.chistell.com\/africanamericanfiction\/stressed-out-check-out-these-easy-ways-to-relax\/","title":{"rendered":"Feeling Anxious and Stressed Out? Check Out These Easy Ways to Relax"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By Books Author Denise Turney<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo by Suzy Hazelwood on Pexels.com<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

If you’re feeling anxious and stressed out, you’re not alone. Psychology Today<\/em> shares that over the last few years, women and men have experienced higher levels of stress, a condition that can cause depression, which has also increased. There are multiple causes of anxiety and stress, including drug and alcohol withdrawal, work problems, relationship difficulties, bullying, money problems and a relentless schedule. Yet, there are easy ways to relax to reduce and eliminate stress and anxiety. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

More importantly, relaxation techniques are worth exploring. Why? Stress is like an \u201calways-in-motion\u201d ball that\u2019s hard to dodge. There always seems to be an event, responsibility, news story or experience that produces stress. The world\u2019s changing landscape that\u2019s filled with pandemic outbreaks, military conflicts, social inequities, job demands and everyday relationship challenges certainly doesn\u2019t make it easy to sidestep stress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stress Benefit<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

That might come with reward, because not all stress is deemed “bad”. For instance, if you\u2019re paying attention (also known as practicing \u201cawareness\u201d), stress could signal<\/a> that it\u2019s time for change. This happened to me years ago when I was between jobs. Here\u2019s the thing. I had a good job, a home, reliable vehicle and warm, loving relationships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I kept telling myself that I should be happy. But, something was off, and I knew it. There was a nagging feeling of being \u201cstuck\u201d. Talk about an uncomfortable, unfamiliar, unwanted feeling. Nothing that I tried got rid of that feeling of being \u201cstuck\u201d. And, I tried a lot of ways to shake that feeling. I tried exercise, meditating, reading positive material, positive affirmations and prayer, to name a few.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This was around the time of the market crash that launched the Great Recession. At the time, my hopefulness centered around the possibility that I was getting ready to become a full-time freelance writer. Although that did happen, it didn\u2019t occur the way that I thought it would. It certainly didn\u2019t happen the way I wanted <\/em>it to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When It\u2019s Hard To Trust<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For me, during this \u201changing in limbo\u201d period, stress increased. Before long, I was struggling to get and stay asleep (and, I generally have no trouble sleeping). If I could only see what was coming. That\u2019s what I kept searching for. Oh, how I wanted to know what was ahead. You have no idea what I would have given to have a crystal ball sitting on my living room table back then.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wouldn\u2019t mind that now. Howbeit, that\u2019s not how life in this world works. Life here is about taking chances. It\u2019s about trial and error. For sure, life in this world is about trust. That period of feeling stuck taught me lessons on dealing with stress. Hopefully, several of the lessons shared below will help you as you continue your journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. Breathe \u2013 You might be surprised at how much stress leaves your body as soon as you start inhaling and exhaling fully. Try it. See if you don\u2019t feel better. Focus on your breathing and you could experience deeper relaxation.<\/li>
  2. Explore Nature \u2013 If you read my blog regularly, you know how much I value nature. Getting outside for a walk not only reduces stress. When you go outside, you can shift your mental focus. That alone can serve as a stress reducer.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Techniques to Stop Feeling Anxious and Stressed Out<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n