Summer is slowly but surely winding down, bringing with it a nagging feeling of missed adventures and the back-to-school scramble. This often leads to heightened stress levels. To help you navigate this transition, we’re sharing five easy stress relief activities that can help you restore a sense of calm and enhance your overall well-being.
Stress happens – it's a natural way our body’s respond to pressure, but when not properly managed it can lead to mental and physical health issues. Chronic stress is associated with anxiety, depression, cardiovascular disease, and a weakened immune system.
When we're stressed, our bodies produce higher levels of cortisol, a hormone linked to the fight-or-flight response. While this response can be lifesaving in emergencies, chronic stress keeps our cortisol levels elevated, which may impair brain function, reduce energy levels, and affect our mood. Over time, this may result in serious mental health issues such as depression and anxiety disorders.
Engaging in regular stress-relief activities can significantly improve your quality of life. Benefits include:
Here are five simple, science-backed activities that you can start today to help manage and relieve stress.
Physical activity is one of the most effective stress relievers. Exercise increases the production of endorphins, chemicals in the brain that act as natural painkillers and mood elevators. Take part in a brisk walk, a yoga session, a gym workout, or other physical activity you enjoy to experience the stress-reduction benefits exercise provides.
Coloring isn't just for kids—it can be a great stress reliever for adults too. Engaging in a creative activity like coloring can help take your mind off stressful thoughts and promote relaxation. It’s a form of art therapy that helps reduce anxiety and improve focus.
Music can affect your emotions and serve as a powerful stress management tool. Listening to soothing music can lower blood pressure, reduce cortisol levels, and bring about a sense of calm. Create a playlist of your favorite relaxing tunes and take some time each day to listen and unwind.
Deep breathing exercises can help reduce stress by increasing oxygen supply to the brain and stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system, which promotes a state of calmness. Practice techniques such as diaphragmatic breathing or the 4-7-8 breathing method to help lower stress levels.
Stretching can help reduce muscle tension, improve circulation, and promote relaxation. Incorporate a few minutes of stretching into your daily routine, focusing on areas where you hold the most tension, such as your neck, shoulders, and back.
While these activities can be very effective, sometimes we need additional support to manage stress. Therapy is designed to provide personalized strategies to help cope with stress and address any underlying issues contributing to it. It’s also an opportunity to explore feelings, develop healthy coping mechanisms, and improve overall mental health. Our team of experienced mental health professionals is here to explore personalized care and support if appropriate for you.
Managing stress is vital for maintaining both mental and physical health. By incorporating these simple activities into your daily routine, you can begin to make progress toward a calmer, more balanced you. Remember—It's important to find what works best for you and to seek professional support if you need it. Your mental health is worth investing in.
*The information in this blog is provided as a general educational resource only, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purpose. This information should not be used as a substitute for professional diagnosis and treatment and does not create any patient-physician relationship between you and Cerebral. Please consult your health care provider before making any health care decisions or to get guidance about a specific medical condition.
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