How Can I Relieve Mental Distress?
Not everyone's life is smooth sailing, and everyone has happy and sad moments. When facing negative emotions, it is necessary to adopt some reasonable methods to dispel these emotions, otherwise it is easy to find loopholes. Therefore, it is important to understand how to alleviate psychological discomfort and resolve troubles smoothly. Common methods include taking a walk outdoors, basking in the sun, changing postures, and avoiding sugary foods to change negative emotions.
1. Take a Walk to Clear Your Mind
When you are feeling unhappy, you can go out for a walk to clear your mind. You don't have to go to the gym for intense exercise. A walk around the neighborhood is just fine, and it's even better if you can chat with a few friends while walking. Simply walking can improve your mood. Group walks outdoors can help reduce stress and significantly lower the risk of depression.
2. Bask in the Sun
Natural light can help us adjust our biological clock, promote sleep, and supplement vitamin D. Lack of vitamin D can make people feel fatigued and low in mood. Sunshine can stimulate the brain to release the "happy factor" serotonin, so sunbathing can improve mood and release stress. According to surveys, due to differences in light exposure, residents in countries with high latitudes have a much higher risk of depression than those in low-latitude countries.
3. Change Your Posture
Maintaining a curled posture for a long time in front of a computer can make people feel suppressed and melancholic. Yoga and Pilates can help stretch the body, regulate breathing, and improve mood. When feeling uncomfortable, change your curled posture and try to stretch your body as much as possible. Standing tall like a pine tree not only leaves a good impression on others but also relieves various bodily pains, making you feel refreshed and happy.
4. Avoid Sweet Foods
Sweet foods can calm emotions and make people feel happy in a short period of time. However, because sugary foods are quickly absorbed by the intestines and stomach, causing a sharp rise and fall in blood sugar levels, they can actually make people feel more exhausted and affect the stability of their emotions. To maintain a good mood, it is best to avoid sweet foods and try not to linger in candy or ice cream aisles.
5. Chat with Friends
Communicating with friends can produce oxytocin and endorphins. Oxytocin is a neuropeptide secreted in large amounts during lactation, which can reduce anxiety, lower blood pressure, and heart rate. Endorphins are neurotransmitters in the brain that produce a sense of happiness. Conversations with friends provide emotional support and can effectively improve mood, even if they are just talking about the weather.
6. Read a Book
Reading is the most effective way to reduce stress among various methods. It can reduce stress levels by 68% within 6 minutes, which is better than listening to music or walking. When you are in a bad mood, it is advisable to read in a comfortable and tidy environment, which can not only improve your cultivation but also enhance your mood.