Lifestyle

Stupid Social Media Trends That Had Disastrous Health Risks

The NekNominate Challenge The name of this challenge can be quite misleading and doesn’t really tell you what it’s about. It’s an Internet craze that involves… Trista Smith - January 20, 2023

Trends come and go. Most of them are just for fun and to pass the time, but over recent years, they have incorporated an element of danger that has been forcing those on social media to put their safety on the line. The memes and trends in this list aren’t for the faint of heart, as a few of them have resulted in serious harm and even death. If you’re sensitive to content about self-harm and/or suicide, then you may want to skip this list. Please, find something a little more light-hearted to read. Otherwise, keep reading for pointless trends and dangerous challenges that cause serious harm.

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The Back-Cracking Challenge

Popping your back may feel good temporarily, but it can be dangerous to do it regularly or with the help of another person. The so-called “back-cracking challenge” is not recommended by medical professionals because it can cause serious injuries. Though the challenge hasn’t resulted in any death, some serious injuries have resulted from attempting this challenge. It involves someone else trying to align your spine and then returning the favor. Attempting to realign someone’s spine without a proper understanding of anatomy and biology can be harmful to both the person attempting the challenge and the person receiving it. Instead of relying on back-cracking, there are more effective and safer ways to improve the health of your back, such as exercising, stretching, and consulting a trained medical professional.

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The Tide Pod Challenge

The Tide Pod challenge. Most of us have heard of this hare-brained trend by now. The only prize waiting at the end of this challenge was a trip to the hospital room, a pumped stomach, and possibly death. Laundry detergent is quite toxic and is meant only to clean your clothes, not your insides. The majority of cases involving exposure to laundry detergent pods are due to ingestion. As a result, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are the most common effects. “Dysphagia secondary to oropharyngeal and esophageal mucosal burns and ulcers” may also happen as a result of ingestion. That’s ignoring the fact that the pod has a special plastic that can get stuck in your throat and cause you to choke. So please, leave the laundry to the parents who are more responsible and know not to put highly toxic substances in their mouths.

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The Licking Random Foods Challenge

It’s hard to imagine why anyone would want to lick a hand pole on a subway train, even before the pandemic. But, in the early days of COVID-19, there were some individuals who thought the virus was a joke and went out of their way to ignore guidelines and touch and lick public objects, including subway poles. Not only is this behavior gross and unsanitary, it also put them at risk of contracting COVID-19. Thankfully, this trend died out as more and more people began to take the virus seriously. But in general, it’s important to remember to practice good hygiene and avoid touching or licking dirty public surfaces, especially during a pandemic.

Tiktok Jessi Frederick

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The Subway Surfing Challenge

Unfortunately, subway surfing is not a new challenge like many of these dangerous trends. It was quite popular in the 1980s, but people decided they no longer wanted to risk their lives. However, it has seen a resurgence, and it involves “surfers” riding outside of train cars, whether hanging onto the sides or back or sitting on the roof of the train as it speeds down the tracks. Unfortunately for one, Christopher Serrano, a 25-year-old man from the Bronx, decided to go on a spree of subway surfing and ended up losing his life. He tried to climb on top of one of the subway trains in Brooklyn and was knocked off the train as it was moving, resulting in his death. Sadly, it takes a tragic incident like this to convince others not to try such dangerous stunts. Keep reading for pointless trends and dangerous challenges that cause serious harm.

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The Kiki Challenge

The “Kiki Challenge” or “In My Feelings Challenge” is a trend that originated on TikTok and involves dancing to the song “In My Feelings” by Drake, often while jumping out of a moving car. This challenge is extremely dangerous and has led to several injuries and accidents. Participating in this challenge can put you at risk of getting hit by a car, falling, or getting hurt while jumping out of a moving vehicle. It is also illegal in many places to dance or perform stunts on a public road while a car is in motion. Some people have even been arrested or charged with reckless or negligent behavior. It’s important to remember that trends and challenges on social media should never come at the expense of your safety and well-being.

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The Outlet Challenge

Remember when you were a kid and your mother told you not to stick a fork in a light socket? Well, it seems some teenagers didn’t listen, because the “outlet challenge” has become a trend. The idea is to plug in chargers and drop a coin between the gap to see what happens. While it might sound cool, coins are metal, and good conductors of electricity, and in uncontrolled environment, it can easily start a fire. At best, the charger gets fried and stops working, and the breaker is tripped, leaving that part of the house without power. Thankfully, there have been no recorded deaths from this challenge, but that doesn’t mean it’s safe. So don’t be tempted to try it, it’s not worth the risk.

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The Blackout Challenge

Passing out as a trend? Seriously folks, let’s be real here. The “blackout challenge” may seem like a harmless bit of fun, but in reality, it’s a recipe for disaster. Cutting off your air supply to make yourself pass out may give you a “high,” but it also puts you at risk of suffocating, falling, and hitting your head. Not to mention, it’s just plain irresponsible to do this alone, without any supervision. And don’t even get me started on the fact that it’s already led to brain death in two children and one child had to be taken off life support. Associate Division Chief of Nemours’ Pediatric Critical Care, Dr. Mindy Dickerman, warned that the Blackout Challenge can result in strangulation that can cause cardiac arrest and significant organ damage, including brain damage. Folks, let’s be smart and avoid this dangerous trend. It’s not worth the risk.

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The Kylie Jenner Lip Challenge

The Kylie Jenner lip challenge has been a popular trend for a while. Many people were infatuated with the young Jenner and wanted to try and achieve her look without plastic surgery. Teenagers, of course, couldn’t afford such procedures, so they looked for the next best thing: something to suck on. Jars, shot glasses, bottles, you name it. They would stick their lips in there and suck all the air out. In turn, this would create a vacuum that would pull blood into the lips and make them swell up, providing a temporary “plump” look that they could then show off to the rest of the world. Unfortunately, bruising and permanent damage could result if done for too long or too many times. Clots can form in the lips, as well as fibrosis (thickening of the tissue) that requires surgery to fix. These dumb trends aren’t worth it.

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The Milk Crate Challenge

If you want to get seriously injured, then the milk crate challenge is definitely up your alley. No, seriously, don’t try it out. The challenge involves stacking empty plastic milk crates together to create sets of stairs on either side leading up to a focal point. After building it, the daredevil must climb up one side and then down the other without falling off. Needless to say, pretty much everyone attempting this challenge fell over and injured themselves. The challenge was understandable during the pandemic when people needed something to do to keep from being bored. However, this challenge was pretty much unnecessary with how many cracked their behinds on the hard ground.

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The Sunburn Art Challenge

Where there is a will… there is someone stupid enough to make a challenge up that will get them hurt. In this case, that stupid trend is the sunburn art challenge. It’s pretty self explanatory. This can be done by selectively exposing certain areas of skin to the sun while protecting others, resulting in a contrast between the sunburned and non-sunburned areas. Such as with an object or sunscreen. The danger goes far beyond any short-term pain, redness and discomfort, because after the sunburn fades, lasting damage remains. Sunburn accelerates skin aging and is a leading cause in the majority of cases of basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer.

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The Skull Crack Challenge

No one really thinks about the dangers associated with specific trends and pranks; they’re doing them for fun and are unfortunate to experience consequences that they never accounted for. But there’s nothing unpredictable about trying to crack someone’s skull on the ground. The “challenge” involved asking an innocent victim to jump up in the air. Two other people, the prankers, would kick their feet out from under them, forcing them to fall backward, risking landing on their heads. You would think that people would know better and wouldn’t want to risk the safety or the life of someone who didn’t ask to participate in this kind of challenge. In fact, in Florida, two teenagers who tried out this prank were charged with a misdemeanor for the injuries they caused to their friend while performing this challenge.

New York Post

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The Waxing Challenge

Since witnessing this dangerous trend online, dermatologists have warned about the many health risks to The Waxing Challenge. In this challenge, a salon or home waxing enthusiast would apply hot wax to the entire face. After it dried, it would then be painfully stripped from every surface and facial cavity. Waxing is a painful process to begin with, so why would this trend be any different? “Waxing is a traumatic process for the skin, especially sensitive areas such as those found around the eyes,” Dr. Anjali Mahto, a London dermatologist, told the Evening Standard. “Attempting to wax inside your nose or ears is not recommended, as it can damage the skin deep inside these cavities and can cause ingrown hairs and inflammation, known as pseudofolliculitis barbae.” Even more seriously, putting hot wax all over your face, blocking your airways, can also cause suffocation.

Graham Hunt

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The Tombstone Challenge

Tombstoning, also known as tombstone diving, is a trend that involves jumping into water from a high height while remaining vertical with hands pinned to the sides. It may look cool and adventurous, but it’s important to understand that it’s extremely dangerous and not recommended by any medical professionals. Jumping into water from such a height can feel like hitting a solid surface, causing serious injuries to bones, joints and internal organs. The water may look deep but that’s not always the case, and it can be difficult to gauge the depth, increasing the risk of injury. Even if you are a strong swimmer, the impact of hitting the water from a great height can be severe. Even cliff diving puts tremendous stresses on your body. If you jump from 20 feet (6 meters) above the water, you’ll hit the water at 25 mph (40 kph). The impact is strong enough to compress your spine, break bones or give you a concussion.

Credit: TikTok

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The Salt and Ice Challenge

When there is snow on your walk, you’ve probably reached for the bag of rock salt to start sprinkling it. Have you ever thought about how the process works? The salt dissolves into sodium and chloride ions, disrupting the bonds between the water molecules and causing the snow to melt. It essentially lowers the freezing point of water so that it doesn’t start to refreeze instantly. Take note of that: it lowers the freezing point. Now apply that science to the skin. An ice cube in your hand is a little painful to hold onto, but the salt and ice trend took this to a dangerous level. The idea was to sprinkle salt on the back of your arm and place an ice cube on it. Because the freezing point is lower, the ice will feel even colder on the skin, which can result in severe burns to the skin from the ice.

Fight Club

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The Punch 4 Punch Challenge

“Fight Club” was supposed to be a metaphor for toxic masculinity and how it can ruin a man’s life. Instead, people looked at the movie through their own lens and found inspiration in people fighting each other just for the sole purpose of violence. Called “Punch 4 Punch,” it is a game where two players take turns hitting each other, with often more and more violent blows until one person gives up. This used to be in the arm or shoulder, but someone decided to make it more dangerous, and going for the face or chest was more worthwhile. One of the main risks is the potential for head trauma. The head is a sensitive area and repeated blows can lead to traumatic brain injury, which can cause serious problems such as memory loss, cognitive difficulties, and even permanent brain damage. Additionally, being punched repeatedly in the body can cause internal organ damage, such as a ruptured spleen or liver, which can be life-threatening. Not only has this stupid trend led to a lot of injuries, but it also claimed the life of a 23-year-old father who collapsed after being in a “game” of “Punch 4 Punch.”

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The Duct Tape Challenge

The Duct Tape Challenge, is a trend that has been circulating around the internet for years now, and it’s not just a harmless game. It involves wrapping a person with duct tape and filming them trying to escape. It may sound like a fun and harmless challenge, but the reality is that it can cause serious injuries such as broken bones, cuts, and burns. It’s not just a physical danger, it also promotes dangerous behavior and should be discouraged. So, if you’re thinking of trying out this trend, just remember it’s not a game, it’s not fun and it’s not safe. It’s important for parents to educate their children about the risks of participating in such challenges, for social media platforms to take action to remove such content, and for individuals to consider the risks and consequences before participating in any dangerous challenges or trends. Safety should always be the number one priority.

CBS Chicago.

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The Hot Water Challenge

Remember when we said, “what goes up must come down?” This is another example of advice teens should take quite seriously. The hot water challenge can be a cool effect to witness, so you should stick to watching YouTube videos about it instead of trying it out yourself. It has to be extremely cold outside, and you need a pot of boiling water. The aim is to throw the hot water into the air; done right, the hot water will instantly freeze and sublimate, turning into steam that rises into the air. But not all of that water is going to freeze, and it’s going to come back down. Right on top of you. Younger kids might find this dare “cool” or “fun”, but may not understand that pouring boiling hot water on someone causes serious irreparable damage and even possibly death. According to the Burn Foundation, hot water (140 degrees F) can cause third degree burns in 5 seconds.

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The Bird Box Challenge

The “Bird Box Challenge” was inspired by the movie Bird Box, where Sandra Bullock’s character has to keep a blindfold on to avoid a deadly creature. In reality, there are no such creatures, but it hasn’t stopped some people from trying to navigate their world while wearing a blindfold. One of the dangerous variations of this challenge is attempting to drive while blindfolded, using only GPS to guide them. This is extremely dangerous and irresponsible, as it puts not only yourself but also other people at risk. The GPS can’t tell you if there’s a pedestrian crossing the street or another car in the way, and it can’t tell you if a traffic light is red or green. This challenge should be done indoors, where there is no risk of seriously hurting yourself or others.

Chloe Marie Phillips Tiktok

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The Benadryl Challenge

Benadryl, is one of those over-the-counter meds that everyone has heard of, but it comes with a side effect that nobody wants: drowsiness that makes you want to take a nap. Unfortunately, some teenagers have been taking advantage of this side effect to get a “high” feeling. Let’s be real, who doesn’t want to feel good without having to spend a lot of money or go through the trouble of getting something illegal? The thing is, taking too much Benadryl can be really dangerous. Consuming that much of any medication can have serious adverse reactions on your body. The “high” feeling is short-lived and can seriously impair your breathing and cognitive functions. One teenager even died as a result of an overdose on Benadryl. So, if you’re thinking about trying this trend, just remember: Medication is for healing, not for getting high. Be safe and stay away from dangerous challenges.

Wikipedia

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The NekNominate Challenge

The name of this challenge can be quite misleading and doesn’t really tell you what it’s about. It’s an Internet craze that involves someone drinking alcohol and having the event recorded. Once they post it online, other people would try to outdo their drinking feats. However, the human body can only deal with a certain amount of alcohol before everything starts to shut down. That’s what happened to a few people who were unfortunate enough not to survive the challenge. Outside of death, drinking that much alcohol in one go can severely strain the liver and kidneys, leading to disease and chronic problems that require hospitalization and treatment for the rest of their lives. What challenge is really worth having to do dialysis three times a week because your kidneys no longer function properly?

Where Do We Find This Stuff? Here Are Our Sources:

How Stuff Works: Cliff Diving

Medline Plus: Benadryl

Skin Cancer Foundation

Forbes Magazine

20 Most Dangerous Social Media Challenges to Avoid | FamilyMinded

10 Disturbing Internet Trends That Caused Fatalities And Injuries – Listverse

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

Burn Foundation

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/social-media/10941176/What-is-Punch-4-Punch-and-what-comes-next.html

https://www.kcrg.com/content/news/Salt-and-ice-challenge-leaves-Iowans-with-severe-burns–504847271.html

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2018/07/31/arrests-fines-and-injuries-the-in-my-feelings-challenge-has-gone-global-with-dangerous-results/

Health

Do These Things to Manage Stress and Change Your Life

Stress is a common and natural part of life that affects everyone, but when it becomes chronic, it can have serious negative impacts on both your… Robyn Traber - January 18, 2023

Stress is a common and natural part of life that affects everyone, but when it becomes chronic, it can have serious negative impacts on both your physical and mental health. Prolonged stress can lead to muscle tension, headaches, stomachaches, and worsen existing health conditions, and increase your risk of serious health problems like heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. In addition to the physical toll, living with chronic stress can be overwhelming and just not enjoyable. By finding ways to manage and reduce stress, you can improve your physical health and live a happier, more fulfilling life. Whether you’ve heard of some of these tips or not, implementing these into your life can go a long way in managing stress.

Source: Cosmopolitan

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Cut Down On Your Sugar Intake

Sugar may seem like a sweet escape from stress, but it can actually do the opposite in the long run. Consuming too much sugar can cause spikes in blood sugar levels, lead to poor sleep, and increase inflammation, all of which can contribute to stress. By cutting back on sugar, you can help regulate blood sugar levels, improve sleep, and reduce inflammation, leading to a happier and calmer you. So, instead of reaching for that sugary snack when feeling stressed, consider reaching for a piece of fruit or a handful of nuts for a natural boost in mood and stress relief.

Source: HowStuffWorks

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Laugh Like A Child

The sad truth is that, on average, we go from laughing 400 times a day as children to only 15 times a day as adults. Thus, many adults are missing out on the surprisingly abundant benefits of laughter. Laughing can not only improve mood, but also lower cortisol and epinephrine (stress hormones), relax muscles, and stimulate the cardiovascular system. Over the long term, there are even more benefits: increased immune function, better coping skills, pain relief, and overall improved mood and outlook on life. There are many ways to bring more laughter into your life. While some might scoff at the idea of practicing laughing, even forced laughter has benefits and can lead to easier natural laughter.

Source: Nunu Chocolates

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Add Some Complex Carbohydrates To Your Day

Complex carbs are like a BFF to your brain when it comes to stress relief. They help boost the production of serotonin, the happy hormone that improves your mood and reduces anxiety. When we consume complex carbohydrates, they are broken down into glucose, which is used as a source of energy by the body. This increase in glucose also stimulates the production of insulin, which helps transport glucose into the brain. In turn, this can increase the availability of tryptophan, an amino acid that is a precursor to serotonin. The increased availability of tryptophan in the brain can lead to increased production of serotonin, which can help improve mood and reduce symptoms of stress. Eating complex carbs, like whole grains, fruits, and veggies, gives your body sustained energy and regulates blood sugar levels, leaving you feeling calm and relaxed. So go ahead, grab that bowl of oatmeal or snack on an apple for a little mood boost!

Source: Keener

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Give Mindfulness Meditation A Try

There’s an abundance of research indicating that mindfulness meditation benefits both mental and physical health. Stress, as well as mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety, can be reduced by using mindfulness. This practice has positive impacts on both the regulatory and the reactivity stress pathways in the brain. This results in better outcomes for stress-related conditions, including chronic pain, IBS, and even colds. The best part? It’s easy to get started, with the widespread availability of in-person and online classes, therapists specializing in the practice, and even smartphone apps to guide you.

Source: Sci-Tech Daily.

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Add Valerian Root To Your Anti-Stress Toolbox

Valerian root is a fascinating natural remedy with some serious stress-busting superpowers! It has been used for centuries to help calm the mind and reduce anxiety. So what makes valerian root so special? It works by affecting the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain, such as GABA, which helps regulate brain activity and promote feelings of relaxation and calm. And if that wasn’t enough, valerian root can also help you get a good night’s sleep. Studies have shown that it may have a sedative effect and improve sleep quality, making it a double whammy against stress. Plus, it may boost your mood and reduce feelings of anxiety, making it a well-rounded natural remedy.

Source: Boston Magazine

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Try “Micro-Workouts” To Boost Your Mood

Micro-workouts, or short bursts of physical activity, can be a powerful tool for boosting your mood and fighting stress. Exercise is well known to have a positive effect on mental health, and micro-workouts can be an easy and convenient way to incorporate physical activity into your daily routine. One of the ways micro-workouts boost your mood is by releasing endorphins, which are natural chemicals in the brain that help relieve pain and improve mood. They can also reduce levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, which can contribute to feelings of anxiety and depression. This could mean taking a quick walk during lunch, doing a few jumping jacks in the morning, or even just doing some stretching exercises at your desk. The key is to find activities that you enjoy and that can be easily incorporated into your daily routine.

Source: National Philanthropic Trust

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Build Your Social Support Network

Dealing with stress alone is more difficult than dealing with it with others. Alone, you feel isolated and dwell on all the negatives. With strong social support, however, you can become more resilient to stress. Having people in your life who listen to you and encourage you has a tremendous effect on your health and stress levels. Social support reduces negative coping strategies, protects the mind and body from the negative effects of stress, and even improves cardiovascular health. Meaningful relationships with others also improve self-esteem and feelings of belonging and purpose.

Source: Healthline

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Passionflower Is Like A Magic Potion Ingredient For Stress

Passionflower – the name alone sounds like a magic potion for stress relief, doesn’t it? This beautiful flowering plant native to the Americas has a rich history of being used to soothe the mind and calm the nerves. Some studies suggest that passionflower can increase levels of the neurotransmitter GABA in the brain, which helps regulate brain activity and promote feelings of relaxation and calm.Passionflower can also have a sedative effect, making it a great natural remedy for those who struggle with sleep problems. If that’s not enough, passionflower may also help reduce feelings of anxiety and improve your mood, making it a triple threat against stress. You can find passionflower in different forms, such as teas, capsules, and tinctures, so you can choose the one that works best for you.

Source: HelpGuide.org

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Try Some Deep Breathing Exercises

When stressed, the sympathetic nervous is activated. This is often known as the “fight-or-flight” response. A fast heart rate, quick breathing, and the feeling of adrenaline are classic signs of the fight-or-flight response. On the other hand, the parasympathetic nervous system, often known as the rest-and-digest system, is characterized by slower heart rates, more relaxed breathing, and calmer feelings. Deep breathing is a strategy to activate the parasympathetic nervous during times of stress. A simple deep breathing exercise to start with is to simply breathe in slowly through your nose, filling your lungs deeply, and then slowly breathe out through your nose. The belly should move more than the chest. Another simple exercise to try is inhaling to a count of 5 and then exhaling to a count of 5. You can increase or decrease the count to whatever is most comfortable, but remember that the goal is to breathe as slowly as possible. There are also many other deep breathing exercises to choose from.

Source: Vanilla Papers

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Journaling for stress relief

Keeping a journal can be a powerful stress management tool. It can be used to build self-knowledge, explore thoughts and feelings, bring more positivity to your life, aid in problem-solving, and keep you focused and organized. Journaling has been shown to alleviate stress and even help with the symptoms of some health conditions. It’s not something that works for everyone, but with no upfront costs-all you need is a pen and paper or a computer-it can’t hurt to give it a try! There are many types of journaling and what works best is going to vary from person to person and even from day to day. Try looking for journal prompt lists. There are no rules to journaling, so take it easy and try whatever sounds appealing to you.

Shutterstock

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Aromatherapy Isn’t Just A Candle Maker’s Marketing Scheme

Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils from plants to improve physical and emotional health. The idea behind aromatherapy is that the scent of essential oils can have a positive impact on the brain and the body, helping to reduce stress, improve mood, and promote relaxation. When essential oils are inhaled, the aroma travels to the olfactory receptors in the nose and triggers a response in the brain. This response can result in a number of physical and emotional benefits, such as reduced stress levels, improved sleep, and reduced anxiety. In addition, some essential oils can be applied topically to the skin or added to a bath, where they can be absorbed into the body. This can help to relieve muscle tension, soothe sore joints, and promote overall relaxation. It’s important to note that not all essential oils are safe to use and some can be irritating or even toxic if used improperly.

Source: News18

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Hang Out With Your Pets

Great news! All that time spent snuggling or playing with your pet? It’s lowering your stress levels. In an American Heart Association survey, 95% of people with pets reported their pets helped them with stress relief. Not only can pets bring more fun and laughter into your life, but they can also lower blood pressure and levels of cortisol, a stress hormone. Pets can even help with mindfulness, reduce loneliness, and provide comfort during stressful times. While owning a pet might not be for everyone-they require a lot of care and attention-spending time with a current pet or getting a new one can be a fun way to lower stress.

Source: Northwestern Now

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Get Enough Sleep

Many of us just don’t get enough sleep. Unfortunately, this can have major consequences for stress levels and overall health. People who consistently get less sleep than they need are at greater risk for a number of illnesses, including cardiovascular problems, type II diabetes, and stroke. Low energy, poor mood, and mental health problems are also consequences of inadequate sleep. The good news is that if this is you, you can change your habits and reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol, lessen anxiety, and improve immune function. Adults are recommended to get 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night. While this may seem challenging for some, it’s possible to achieve by adjusting your bedtime or wake-up time by 10 or 15 minutes each day. Being consistent, even on weekends, improves success.

Source: The Chopra Center

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Ashwagandha Is An Ancient Tool For Relieving Stress

Here’s the deal: when you’re feeling stressed, your body produces more of a hormone called cortisol. Cortisol is great in small doses, but when it’s consistently high, it can lead to feelings of anxiety and depression. But that’s where ashwagandha comes in! Studies have shown that ashwagandha can help reduce cortisol levels, so you can feel more relaxed and calm, even during high-stress times. Not only does ashwagandha help reduce stress, but it’s also a multitasker. It’s been shown to improve brain function, reduce inflammation, and even improve energy levels and physical performance. And let’s not forget, ashwagandha can also help you sleep better.

Source: Go Wander Wild

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Connect With Nature

Access to nature varies greatly with location, although this is starting to change as policymakers are coming to recognize the importance of connecting with nature. Lower stress, greater happiness, and a stronger sense of well-being and purpose are just some of the benefits a little time in nature can bring you. It’s even been shown to help with loneliness. Cognitive benefits, such as improved attention and memory, and mental health benefits also result from time in nature. Researchers are still working on how much time in nature is needed to experience the benefits, but an early study in 2019 indicates that 2 hours a week is enough. Those 2 hours can be broken up into smaller chunks throughout the week or done all at once. As for where to go, natural areas, urban green space, and “blue spaces” such as oceans or rivers have all been shown to be beneficial. Even audio or video of nature can provide some benefit.

Source: Glints

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Re-Evaluate How You Use Social Media

In this age of social media and especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, many are aware that social media can be both a good thing and a bad thing. Many have found that social media offers a great way to connect with other people and ease loneliness. This has been supported in several studies-but only if the connections are meaningful. Excessive or non-connection-promoting social media usage is associated with increased stress, increased loneliness and isolation, and lower self-esteem. It’s important to manage your social media usage to avoid stress and negativity. Tracking your usage is a good first step towards healthy social media usage, allowing you to be aware of and monitor your social media usage.

Source: The Virtual Instructor

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Engage in your hobbies

A hobby can be almost anything that you enjoy doing in your free time. And this is a good thing, too, since engaging in your hobbies has been shown to lower stress and increase overall well-being. While any hobby can provide a healthy distraction and emotional release, some hobbies have specific benefits. For example, creative activities have been shown to lower cortisol levels and improve moods. Team hobbies, on the other hand, improve social support and lower depression and anxiety. And having a support system through a shared interest can offer more emotional relief than you may realize.

Source: Wholebeing Institute

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Say no more often

Having too many commitments means lots of stress, rushing, lost sleep, and unhealthy meals. Even then, it can be hard to say no when people ask you to do something or take on more responsibilities. But doing so can damage your health from the effects of long-term stress and overall just leave you with low energy and a bad mood. A healthy level of commitment, on the other hand, allows you to take care of your health, spend time doing things that are enjoyable, and better fulfill your other obligations. Saying “no” can be hard, but most people won’t hold it against you if you are polite. When faced with a new request, ask yourself if this is where you want or need to spend your time and energy.

ource: Futurity

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Let Go Of Past Anger & Resentment

Everyone has been hurt or wronged by someone, whether through a small action or a major betrayal. Holding onto that anger and resentment, however, is damaging to your physical and mental health. Anger triggers the stress response, so chronic anger leads to chronic stress. Forgiving can lessen stress, improve mental health, and benefit phsyical health. It can reduce pain, improve cardiovascular health, and lead to better sleep. A good place to begin is by remembering and reflecting on the event. Then you can try to empathize with the other person, and let go of expectations for apologies. It’s important to forgive deeply and truly, not just because you feel obligated to. Mark your forgiveness with some kind of action: talk to the other person, confide your feelings to someone you trust, or even just write about your forgiveness. Many of us also harbor damaging anger towards ourselves, so remember to forgive yourself too.

Source: American Heart Association

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Schedule some self care time

Taking care of yourself is an important ongoing task that sometimes gets lost in the busyness of life. Self care, defined as anything you do to take care of yourself physically or emotionally, is important for building resilience and well-being. Good self care can not only lower stress, but also improve physical and mental health. Taking steps towards a healthy lifestyle, addressing your emotional needs, and taking time to relax are all components of self care. If you’re not sure where to start, making a list of things that you enjoy is a good first step. From there, you can make goals on how to incorporate more of those into your daily life. It may seem overwhelming, but it’s okay to start small-even just a few minutes a day can be beneficial-and then work on bigger goals over time. Try different things, and adjust your goals if something isn’t working for you or is harder than originally planned.

Releasing repressed emotions by talking can lower stress. Source: Healthy Food Guide

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Talk About Your Feelings

An ages-old strategy for processing your feelings and lowering stress is simply to talk to someone else about your problems. Letting out your emotions, whether through talking or writing, removes the stress of holding in painful emotions. Repressing those emotions takes a lot of effort and relieving that effort lessens the stress response. As an extra, talking about your problems and feelings can help you to better understand yourself and your emotions. What “talking about your feelings” actually looks like can vary depending on the person and their needs at the time. Sometimes venting about problems to a friend is helpful, while at other times talking through a conflict is better. There are also times when talking to a therapist is helpful, especially if you’re struggling. Talking to someone you trust is important and so is making sure that they’re prepared for the conversation.

Source: Vitality Magazine

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Set Boundaries For Healthy Relationships

Having supportive relationships brings a whole host of benefits, including lower stress, greater happiness, and even increased longevity. However, it’s important to set boundaries in your relationship, whether its at work, with friends or family, or in a romantic relationship. Strong, healthy boundaries support life balance and healthier relationships, while weak boundaries can cause resentment, conflict, and stress. A life without boundaries leaves you constantly pulled by others’ needs and expectations, without being able to assert any of your own. Boundaries are tools to protect your physical and mental and be sure your needs are met. A healthy boundary doesn’t exert control over others, just establishes your needs. Setting boundaries can be scary, but the people who care about you will recognize and support you in meeting your needs.

Where Do We Find this Stuff? Here Are Our Sources:

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https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/exercise-and-stress/art-20044469

https://www.apa.org/topics/stress/manage-social-support

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https://www.verywellmind.com/boundaries-in-relationships-and-stress-3144984

https://www.webmd.com/balance/stress-management/stress-and-the-body

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