Life is stressful. From work to family and even the whole idea of self-care, expectations, and pressure seem to be piling up. With so much to do, it can be hard to find time to sleep, let alone figure out how to relieve stress. Luckily, you do not have to be a spiritual guru or a gym junkie to find some inner peace. From dancing to Delta 8 gummies, here are four unconventional ways you can beat stress.
1. Dance Like Nobody’s Watching
When you feel like life has you by the throat, try dancing to your favorite song or a party playlist. Channeling your inner Beyoncé or BTS member will give you the motivation you need to get through your day. When it comes to dancing, it is about how you feel and not how you look. Instead of imagining yourself from an outsider’s perspective and wondering if you will make it as a TikTok star, focus on how you are feeling in the moment and forget about the judgmental outside world.
Sometimes, the sillier the dance, the better. Bob your head like a flamingo, do the robot or wiggle your bottom and come up with your own version of twerking. Just let your body move to the music and you may find that you are no longer thinking about the stress in your life and just living in the moment. Listening to music we like and dancing has been found to stimulate our brains and activate the reward centers that produce happy hormones like dopamine and serotonin. In addition, exercise will help your body get rid of excess stress hormones.
2. Have a Good Cry
Crying is a guaranteed way to reduce stress and clear your mind. Physically releasing pent-up emotions is an important step towards overcoming negative emotions and reducing the stress in your body. Think of your body as an old-style kettle. Without a release, all the water in the kettle will continue to boil and pressure will build until the kettle finally blows. Crying is the metaphorical steam valve that helps you to vent the pressure that has been building up inside you. If you do not want to explode, it is a good idea to set aside some time to cry.
Everyone is human. Accepting that you have strong emotions is an integral part of mental well-being. Most people do not like to cry in front of others because they feel like it is a sign of weakness. That is fine. You can sit quietly in your room and let it all out without interruption. You will feel a lot better when you are done because you will have gotten rid of some of the tension that has been weighing you down. In addition, tears can help you to flush out stress hormones such as prolactin and adrenocorticotropic that bog your body down.
3. Eat Something Crunchy
This may seem a little weird, but science supports the idea that eating crunchy and noisy food offers satisfaction to our brains and can be soothing in times of distress. Back when humans were primarily hunter-gatherers, crunchy food such as insects and fresh fruit signified vital nourishment. Even today, eating something that crunches or pops in your mouth can take focus away from negative thoughts and stimulate the feel-good centers of the brain. This is probably why ASMR videos of crunchy eating earn millions of views on YouTube.
Another theory about why eating crunchy food makes you feel better is that it is a way for us to express aggression without hurting anyone. Instead of punching a wall or breaking something, you can chew something crunchy in a display of wanton, pleasurable destruction. Of course, while crunchy food might have been nutritious hundreds of years ago, modern deep-fried food and potato chips are probably not the choices for your health. If possible, stick to nuts, fruits, and vegetables to reduce stress.
4. Enjoy an Edible
Cannabis edibles are a delicious way to relieve stress and anxiety and improve mood. Best of all, they are low-key enough for you to carry them in your pocket and enjoy in public at any hour of the day. Unlike certain cannabis products that are more likely to get you in trouble with the law, Delta 8 gummies are extracted from hemp with low (less than 0.3%) THC levels—which means that they are federally legal in the United States and not listed as control substances in most states. Find out more by checking your state’s laws regarding Delta 8.
Like the more common Delta 9, Delta 8 can induce relaxation, reduce anxiety, and relieve pain. Furthermore, it produces a less intense “high” that may be preferable for those who still want to stay functional and productive during the day. Delta 8 is also ideal for those who are new to cannabis and want the health benefits without the strong psychoactive properties. Aside from having stress-relieving properties, cannabis edibles come in a wide variety of tasty flavors from cherry to caramel. Some even come with herbs such as valerian root to foster better sleep.
So, there you have it—four ways to de-stress when life is too much. Try them out for yourself and discover if these unconventional ways to unwind work for you.
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