There’s no denying that life can be stressful at times. We spend long days at work, wait in traffic, have to deal with kids, find the time to exercise and basically try to live life can easily take its toll on you. The accumulated stressed of life in general can really do a number on your health, including early aging, heart problems and more. Stress may be party of everyday life, but it shouldn’t consumer you. When left unchecked, stress can really have a negative impact on your health, so it’s important to always de-stress whenever you can. But sometimes that’s easier said than done, so here are a few ways to go about de-stressing:

Know what stresses you out 

Knowing what stresses you out can help you avoid stress. While you can’t get rid of every stress trigger you have, you can control a few of them, especially the one’s you have control over. Finding ways to eliminate these triggers can help you de-stress almost instantly. Whenever you’re feeling stressed, stop and think about why it’s happening and try to pinpoint the triggers. If the triggers are something you can control, figure out ways to control them so that you don’t get stressed out over those situations or experiences.

Laugh it out

Laughter is the best medicine for when you’re stressed. In fact, research has found that laughing in a stressful situation can decrease stress levels. Once you start to laugh, you start to feel better. So the next time you’re feeling overly stressed, watch your favorite comedy or find a video online that’ll make you chuckle!

Go outside for a walk

When things get too stressful for your liking, take a break and go outside for a walk. Getting outside in the sunshine can help elevate your mood and a walk allows you to clear you head while also boosting endorphins to reduces stress hormones in your body.

Eat healthy

Did you know that what you eat and your mood are linked? Not many do, which is why you’ll need to start eating healthier if you don’t want to be stressed anymore. When you eat healthy, you’ll improve your energy and this in turn helps you be more productive. When you’re more productive, you can get more done, which will improve your mental and physical health. Incorporate more fruits, veggies, whole grains and other healthier foods.

Learn how to meditate

Meditation is a great way to de-stress, which is why should think about practicing it. Looking inward while practicing deep breathing techniques can help lower high blood pressure and help you de-stress. There are many ways to meditate and it doesn’t have to take very long. You can take five-minute breaks and simply go to a quiet place, close your eyes, focus on your breathing and let all of life’s stresses slip away from your body. You’ll feel much lighter and happy after. Practicing medication regularly can not only help your body, but also your mind and soul, too.

Get in some quality sleep

Not getting enough sleep at night can be adding to your stress levels. But sleep is key in staying healthy and can help you handle stress better. But not all sleep is equal because the quality of your sleep counts. Just because you’re getting in eight hours of sleep doesn’t mean they’re quality hours of shuteye. To ensure that you get restorative and restful sleep, you should make your bedroom dark, cool and quiet.

Unplug for a while

Stress levels can rise if you’re always plugged in all the time. Spending too much time on technology can really do a number on your stress levels, so it’s good to unplug every now and then. Sometimes going an entire weekend unplugged can rejuvenate your mind, body and soul and help you de-stress. It may be hard to do at first, but once you finally do it, you’ll realize how peaceful you are when you’re not always on your smartphone.

De-clutter your life

Clutter can lead to stress, which is why you might want to de-clutter your home, office, car and even life. Getting organized means getting rid of junk you don’t need anymore. You’ll feel so much lighter and happier once you find yourself in an organized space!