It’s been an intense year so far. 2020 has been full of surprises that no one could have expected. It’s thrown the world into chaos never before seen. Millions of people around the world have lost their jobs, and hundreds of thousands of people have experienced significant losses due to recent turbulence. In light of everything going on, it’s no wonder people are stressed out and anxious. We’re worried about what’s around the corner, and our typically optimistic outlook is more in doubt. How do we push on in the face of such great challenges? Managing stress and anxiety is helpful not only because it clears your mind and helps you focus, but it’s also good for your health. Too much stress can affect your sleep, what you eat, and your relationships with others. Managing your mood and how external factors affect you is key. Here are some things you can do to handle stress.
Exercise
Chances are you know people on both ends of the exercise spectrum. It seems that for every person that turns to food in crisis or stress eats, one finds solace and purpose in running, lifting weights, swimming, or some other physical exercise. Burning calories and raising your heart rate is one of the best ways to clear your mind. Even if your attention is shifted away from the stress momentarily, the benefits will linger. The nice thing about exercise is that you can start from where you are right now. It’s you versus yourself. You set the standards and track the progress.
Eat the Right Foods
What you eat affects your mood, so the better the food that you put in your body is, the better you’ll feel. Focus on eating foods high in protein and nutrients. Avoid foods with a lot of sugar or unhealthy fats that leech energy away from you and drag you down. Those types of foods will give you a temporary high followed by a longer crash. When you’re feeling down or lethargic, it’s harder to fight against the depressing effects of anxiety. Stay on your A-game by keeping your diet right.
Exciting Potential of Peptides
There is some exciting potential around recent research related to peptides and how they treat anxiety and stress in rats. Specifically, a peptide named Selank, in clinical trials done on rodents, showed strong anti-anxiety and neuroprotective effects. It positively influenced the rats’ memory and learning, pointing to exciting possible future medical health benefits.
Practice a Form of Mindfulness
Our state of mind is something we can control. Even though it’s common to think that our moods are decided by our environment, we retain command of our mental state of being despite what’s happening around us. Mindfulness, sometimes called meditation, is a way all of us can focus our emotions and alter the course of our thinking. Whether you prefer sitting in silence, repeating mantras, or some other form of mindfulness like focusing on gratitude, the lasting effect on your mood is real. Whenever you’re feeling stressed, you can turn to mindfulness. As you develop this habit, you become better at changing your mood and distancing yourself from anxiety. Another tip is to start each day with a mindfulness routine to establish a state of mind for the entire day. That way when something stressful comes along it has less chance of derailing your mood.