5 Genius Ways to Reduce Stress

Eat to Beat Stress

When we're stressed, we forget to eat right and instead resort to sugary, fatty snacks for an instant pick-me-up. Instead, check your diet because food really impacts our emotional state. Start your day with bananas which help repair cell damage caused due to stress, or a bowl of oats spruced up with fresh fruits and honey in order to boost positive energy. "Research suggests that the ?good bacteria' found in yogurt helps to kill anxiety and depression", says Dr. Manoj K. Ahuja, Sukhda Hopsital. Even the sweet, pleasant fragrance of the coconut is known to have a psychological effect that reduces anxiety. Note: Skip the caffeine and alcohol since they dehydrate the body and ultimately increase anxiety.

Sleep

Poor sleep takes a toll on everything, from your job performance to your daily chores. Click here for quick tips to help you sleep fast.

Meditate

"When you're stressed or anxious you tend to have unproductive worries that can often be nagging. Mindful meditation teaches you to identify that thought as useless, as just a thought and not a part of who you are", explains a researcher from John Hopkins. Meditation has brilliant health benefits, from improving brain function to treating mild to moderate depression, and relieving anxiety.

Exercise

Did you know that just taking a short walk around the office or standing up to stretch can offer immediate relief when you're stressed? Exercise improves blood circulation, releases endorphins and can improve your mood almost instantaneously. You can even dance around your house, loosen up and let go of your inhibitions.

Visualise

Rather than stressing over things that are not going your way, visualise a perfect scenario of how you want your life to be. "Remember: YOU have the ability to design your world. Imagine the life you want, imagine every detail and make it feel so real that you start believing your co-creation is coming true", recommends Delhi-based Meditation Expert Malini Sawhney.