Fun Ways to Relieve Stress

Stress is the body’s reaction to a challenge. A cocktail of chemicals is released into the bloodstream, causing your brain to become more alert, your pulse to speed up, and your muscles to tense so that you’re ready to respond more quickly to any threat or demand. Under the right circumstances, stress has a protective effect. So why has stress become such a dirty word? When you experience it chronically, it can have a negative impact on your health. Discovering some fun ways to relieve stress can help you unwind and stay healthier.

Fun Ways to Relieve Stress

“It’s not the stress that kills us,” according to stress researcher Hans Selye. “It’s our reaction to it.” Unsurprisingly, writer Ralph Waldo Emerson offered a more poetic take on stress: “Don’t be pushed by your problems. Be led by your dreams.” While their language might be different, it seems reasonable to believe that both men would approve of exploring fun ways to relieve stress. Fortunately, there are plenty of options to choose from.

Dance

Exercise is often cited as an effective stress reliever because it releases endorphins, natural chemicals that help improve mood and reduce pain. It also reduces the levels of the stress chemical cortisol in the body and helps improve the quality of your sleep. However, exercising doesn’t have to mean doing reps at the gym. It can be dancing around your kitchen to your favorite song. Alternately, it could be heading out with friends for a charity dance or taking a ballroom dance class with your sweetheart.

Doodle

Break out your crayons, colored pencils, or paints. Grab a sketch pad, coloring book, or the back of an old grocery list. Whether you’re a serious creator or just enjoy taking a few minutes to get scribble, spending a little time indulging your inner artist can be a fantastic way to lower your stress level.

Puzzle It Out

When your mind is caught in an endless loop, give it something else to chew on. Offer it a puzzle to solve. Choose a jigsaw puzzle or crossword. Pick up a book of logic puzzles. Start a new app that offers picture puzzles. Redirecting your mind can help you calm down and unwind. When you’re refreshed and ready, you’ll be better able to deal with whatever is stressing you out.

Start a Collection

Beginning a collection is a chance to take an interest in something new. It gives you an opportunity to explore a new topic and interact with a different group of people. Collecting can also fuel a sense of pride as you chase after items to add to your collection and succeed in doing so.

Escape into a Story

Whether you prefer books, television shows, movies, podcasts, or video games, escaping into an absorbing story for a few hours can be an amazing way to get away from your worries. For the best results, make a choice to actively leave your own concerns behind while you read, watch, listen, or play.

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There’s no doubt that too much stress can be harmful. Thankfully, there are plenty of fun ways to relieve stress.