7 Ways To De-Stress In The City
Comments (0)
Los Angeles is one of the most admired cities in the world. Known for its endless trendy food spots and hordes of ambitious freethinkers, people are proud to be Angelenos. All of the hustle and bustle of the big city, however, can start to take a toll on your mental and physical health and leave you feeling stressed out. When you are stressed, you can’t enjoy all of the amazing things that Los Angeles, or any other big city, has to offer. So let’s sit back and relax with these seven ways to de-stress on the daily.
Leafy greens high in vitamins (Pinterest)
Eating a well balanced diet is important to keep the body healthy and keep stress levels down. Dark green vegetables are some of the best foods for replenishing the body due to their high vitamin content.
2. Do yoga
Any type of exercise produces endorphins and relieve stress in the body. Yoga in particular, especially when combined with meditation, can be one of the most effective exercises to reduce stress. The Huffington Post provides a list of yoga poses particularly helpful for stress reduction. Another resources is Do Yoga With Me, a free resource for yoga routines at any experience level.
3. Drink green tea.
When steeped in water, the antioxidants naturally contained in green tea leaves are released. These antioxidants rid the body of stress and can even protect the body from degenerative disease.
4. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!
Overworking the body can lead to dehydration, and dehydration stresses the entire bodily system. As described by WebMD, a dehydrated body produces cortisol, which is a stress hormone. The simplest and fastest way to reduce cortisol production and relieve stress in the body is to drink lots of water!. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!
Dark chocolate with sea salt! (Liv Lives Life/Pinterest)
According to Reader's Digest, dark chocolate with a cocoa content of 70% or more is the best for stress reduction. The chemicals contained within the chocolate produce endorphins, and can have the same effect on the body as marijuana, leading to relaxation.
6. Spend some time outside.
Take a walk with a friend. Sunbathe in the backyard with a good book. Exposure to natural sunlight can increase levels of serotonin in the brain, lifting spirits and inducing relaxation.
7. Stop, breathe, and concentrate on you
Sometimes, the best thing to do when stressed out in the big city is to just stop and breathe. Deep breathing and meditation help center the body and make you more aware of your body's mental and physical health. Do things you enjoy, like grabbing lunch with friends, watching your favorite television show on Netflix or reading a new book. The city will always be there, but your body and your health need the attention!
Reach Staff Reporter Ashley Seruya here.
