Need to dial down the stress? Try some chill-out exercises like deep breathing and meditation.
These techniques tap into your body’s built-in stress-relief mechanisms, firing up the parasympathetic nervous system (aka the “rest and digest” system), which acts as the counterbalance to the adrenaline-fueled “fight or flight” response.
Take deep breathing, for example. It’s like giving your body a signal to kick back and relax. With each slow inhale, you’re triggering receptors in your lungs, sending calming vibes to your brain. This activates the parasympathetic nervous system, causing your heart rate to drop, blood pressure to ease off, and those tense muscles to loosen up.
Benefits:
- Activating the parasympathetic nervous system gives your body the chance to bounce back from stress and shields you from its long-term effects.
- By slotting in these relaxation breaks, you’re essentially fine-tuning your body’s stress response system, resulting in a happier mood, sharper thinking, and an all-around better vibe.
Life Hack:
- Slide a 10-20 minute relaxation break into your day. It’s like a little escape for your mind, keeping stress on the sidelines.