In life, stress seems to be inevitable.  No matter how hard you try, there are always curve balls thrown your way that can leave you feeling overwhelmed with stress.  Although every generation has felt the stresses of life, buisnessinsider.com has given the title of the most stressed out generation to millennials.  This can be due to a number of things including student loan debt, a difficult job market, and social media.  These stresses can often cause side effects such as insomnia, chest pain, and possible heart problems.  Stress is a major problem that needs to be taken seriously.  Here are activities that relieve your stress and improve your over-all health.

Yoga

Yoga is a combination of breathing techniques, meditation, and strength training.  These characteristics of yoga all relieve the stress you are holding on to.  According to Yoga Journal, yoga increases blood flow, drops your blood pressure, increases serotonin levels(a neurotransmitter that gives the feeling of happiness), relaxes your system, and slows down the mental loops of frustration, regret, anger, fear.

Painting and coloring

It is time to revisit your childhood and pick up some pencils and paint.  Coloring books for adults are probably one of the biggest trends to come out in the past two years.  These coloring books have been said to “focus the brain similarly to meditation.”  These books are not only fun, but gorgeous too.

Swimming and Running

Psychologist Aimee C. Kimball, director of mental training at the Center for Sports Medicine University of Pittsburgh Medical Center states that, “vigorous exercise like swimming can significantly decrease both anxiety and depression.”  This idea of exercising to reduce stress is not a new one.  Activities like swimming and running pump endorphins into your system which reduces stress and leaves one feeling happier and more relaxed.  These activities have also been described as “meditation in motion”, according to websites like Mayo Clinic.

Puzzles

This is a fun activity that uses the same brain relaxing power as coloring and painting.  The great thing about this activity is that you can stop and pick up where you leave off.  This is also a great activity to do with others, which can take your mind off the stress in your life.

Play with Animals

According to AnimalSmart.org,  it is proven that “interactions with animals can decrease stress in humans.”  Playing and cuddling with your furry friend releases high levels of oxytocin and reduces the release of the stress causing hormone of cortisol.  You can double up on your stress reducing activities by walking and spending time with your pet!

Journaling

Journaling is definitely a way to organize your thoughts.  You can get out all your anxious thoughts and stresses out on paper.  Through journaling, you can reflect on what you have written and  figure out how to solve your problems.

Laugh

Laughing has been named one of the best and easiest ways to relieve stress from many different sources including bustle.com.  Whether you go out on the town with your girlfriends or watch a comedy with your spouse, go out there and feel your stresses melt away through laughter.