Healthy body, happy mind

Renee Singh

Simply having a clear plan for stress relief can help you feel empowered, shed your stress and feel more relaxed. We normally in our day-to-day lives,  don’t actually notice the stress building up,  it is only when we begin to get overwhelmed by stress does it start showing up in different ways,  like a low immune system or irritability. Most of the lifestyle diseases are attributed to stress. It can also be held responsible for the minor irritants in life. 

Self care

Taking care of your physical being is extremely important. It means you eat a healthy diet and stay away from things which are not conducive to good health. Focus on things that make you happier. 

Regular exercise

Exercise, though on the surface feels good for the body but in the long run it actually proves to be good to reduce your stress levels. 

• It is useful to refocus attention. Helps let go of unnecessary thought and connects you with people once you join a group exercise class.
• It actually decreases the “stress hormones” like cortisol and increases endorphins, the “feel good” hormones. It is a natural boost to the mood. 
• Exercise takes your mind off the problems, and into a zen like state. Biking and walking make you enjoy your environment, and life itself. 
• It may sound superficial, but looking good is really a major “feel good” factor.  This increases your level of confidence, the aura strengthens and you get healthier.

Must meditate

This is one of the most popular ways to relieve stress. It has nothing to do with being a religious or spiritual practice; you can use it just as a tool 

• Helps you build resilience 
• Helps to get you centred 
• Helps maintain a balance 
• It is a quick fix stress reliever 
• Calms the mind and body both

Restores calm in the body, quietens stress induced thoughts and thus helps in the body repairing itself. It also prevents new damage happening, by quietening unnecessary thinking. Regular practice brings long term resilience, which strengthens the immune system while keeping stress at bay. 

Enjoy the moment

Savouring positive experiences can prolong happiness. This leads to greater enjoyment of life. It is important to keep our minds in a constant flow of happiness, so that we remain in a state of perfect health with super resilient immune systems.  

(Singh is a Chandigarh-based psychotherapist)