The COVID-19 pandemic has not only affected people’s physical health but their mental health as well. The scale of this pandemic is an unprecedented event in modern society. So it’s normal for people to feel stressed about it. The uncertainty and anxiety brought by the disease can be too much to handle for many, especially for women.
Women are more likely to feel stressed than men. Many factors contribute to women’s high levels of stress, such as societal standards, job security, financial security, and many more.
Relieving stress needs to be a priority for women who feel stressed frequently. By managing their stress levels, women can live healthier and more fulfilling lives.
Long-term Impacts of Stress on Women
Chronic stress can bring about several problems for women. For example, it can affect your period. You might get irregular cycles, miss a month or two, or worsen your PMS. High levels of stress can also result in more wrinkles and frown lines on your face.
If you have the money, you can do many things to relieve stress. You can get a massage or do a little retail therapy. You can also consider getting a botox treatment service. Not only can it clean out the frown lines in your face, but it’s also shown to help with treating depression.
But we’re in the middle of a pandemic. And it has resulted in economic instability everywhere in the world. So we need to be careful with how we spend our hard-earned money. Thankfully, there are many ways to de-stress without burning through your savings.
Stress-relieving Strategies
Go Off the Grid
Checking your social media accounts regularly can be stressful. You might unconsciously start comparing yourself with the people you see in your social media feeds. You are also exposed to many stressful events, whether it’s about the pandemic, the government, or something else. Thus, going off the grid for a few days is a good way to de-stress. Consider uninstalling social media apps from your phone so that you’re more likely to stick with not checking on them.
Exercise
Physical exercise is one of the best ways to relieve stress. Many studies solidify the link between exercise and stress management. For instance, one study found that women who worked out for 20 minutes and took a break for 20 minutes felt less stress due to the calming effect of exercise.
And the best thing about exercising is you don’t need to spend anything to do it. You can just put on your most comfortable clothes and go out for a walk or a run for at least 30 minutes. If you don’t want to go out, you can exercise at home. There are many YouTube workout videos that you can follow if you don’t know how to start or what to do.
Do Yoga and Meditate
Doing yoga and meditating regularly can also help you de-stress. In both activities, you need to do deep breathing exercises. They help you feel calm, lower your heart rate, and lower your cortisol or the stress hormone.
Listen to Music
Listening to music is also a great way to relieve stress. In one study, researchers found that surgical patients who listened to music were able to lower their blood pressure more rapidly. They also felt calmer than the others.
You can create a playlist with your favorite songs. Try listening to upbeat songs when you feel down. Upbeat songs can help you reclaim your optimism and feel better about your life. On the other hand, you can listen to slow music, such as classical music, to help you keep calm.
Play Games
Some studies found that games can elevate stress levels, but new research shows that video games can have the opposite effect. Playing games can help you relieve stress by distracting you from your stressors.
One real-life example is the popularity of video games and game consoles during the pandemic. During the first few months of the pandemic, people spent a lot of time playing Animal Crossing. It’s an engaging game and even allows players to interact with other players online. The game didn’t only provide a psychological escape from reality. It also gave a sense of community to players in the middle of social isolation.
Stress is a silent enemy that affects everyone, especially women. And its effects on women’s health only emphasizes the need to address stress when it happens, instead of sweeping it under the rug. Besides, women can de-stress without spending a dime and in the comforts of their own homes.
