Name: 5 simple ways to reduce stress ?English Podcast
Uploaded: 2025-03-16T02:41:27.000Z
Duration: 13 min 34 s
Description: Thousands of YouTube videos with English-Chinese subtitles! Now you can learn to understand native speakers, expand your vocabulary, and improve your pronunciation...

The imperative

Hello everyone and welcome back to the Boost English podcast.

I hope you're all doing great whether you're listening in the morning, afternoon, or late at night.

It's amazing to think about all of you tuning in from different places.

Maybe you're commuting to work or school.

Maybe you're taking a walk in the park or perhaps you're at home enjoying a quiet break with a cup of coffee or tea.

Whatever the case, thank you so much for joining me.

As always, I'm excited to spend this time together.

Today, it's just me, no special guests, and I'll do my best to make our conversation both helpful and fun.

Before we get into our main topic, let's just chat a bit.

My day started with me nearly tripping over my cat on the way to the kitchen, so that was my wake-up call.

I guess that's one way to get your heart pumping in the morning.

Sometimes I wonder if pets secretly plan to walk in front of us at the worst possible time.

Anyway, once I got my coffee made, things went a bit smoother.

Have you ever had a morning that started off a little rocky?

It's funny how small events can set the tone for the day, right?

But I figure if something silly happens early on, maybe the rest of the day can only improve.

Now let me tell you what this podcast is all about.

In each episode, I focus on one main topic in English and share my ideas, stories, and tips with you.

By listening, you can practice your English comprehension and pick up new vocabulary along the way.

Near the end, I'll explain some of the more challenging words or expressions.

That way, you'll be able to fully understand everything and use the words in your own conversations.

Learning a new language can be tough, but I believe it can also be fun if we take it one step at a time.

If at any point you feel overwhelmed, don't worry.

Just pause, rewind, or review the tricky parts later.

Our main topic today is how to get rid of stress.

I think we can all relate to feeling stressed.

Whether you're a student dealing with exams, a professional juggling work deadlines, a parent taking care of a busy household, or someone facing personal challenges, stress seems to pop up in all areas of life.

I want to share five strategies that have helped me or people I know.

Everyone is different, so maybe not every strategy will suit you perfectly, but hopefully at least one will resonate and give you an idea for reducing your own stress levels.

The first strategy is about physical movement.

When we feel stressed, our bodies produce stress hormones, and we can get stuck in that uneasy feeling of tension.

A great way to break out of it is by exercising.

Exercise doesn't have to be a marathon or a high-intensity workout at the gym.

It can be something as simple as a brisk walk, a dance session to your favorite music, or a quick stretch in your living room.

The idea is to get your body moving, because physical activity releases chemicals in your brain that improve your mood and help you relax.

Even a small amount of daily exercise can make a real difference.

If you find yourself saying, I don't have time, maybe you could just slip in 10 minutes of yoga or do a quick set of jumping jacks during a work or study break.

Is there any short activity you could sneak into your routine?

The second strategy involves mindfulness or meditation.

I know these words can sound intimidating, or maybe you imagine a monk sitting silently for hours.

In reality, mindfulness can be as simple as paying close attention to what you're doing in the present moment.

For example, if you're washing dishes, you focus on the temperature of the water, the feel of the soap, the sound of the water running.

If your mind wanders to your worries or your plans for tomorrow, you gently bring it back to what you're doing right now.

Meditation is similar, but often more focused on breathing or a specific thought.

Even five minutes of slow, deep breathing can have a powerful calming effect.

Some people enjoy using apps that guide them through short meditations.

It might feel a bit strange at first, but over time, it can help you manage stress by grounding you in the present.

Do you think you'd be open to trying something like that?

The third strategy is about strengthening your social connections.

It can be really tough going through stress on your own, but sometimes we isolate ourselves when we feel anxious.

Maybe we worry we'll burden others, or we just don't feel like socializing.

Yet talking to a trusted friend, family member, or even an online support group can ease your mental load.

Sharing what's on your mind might not solve the problem immediately, but it often helps you see things in a clearer light.

You might realize that other people have faced similar challenges and can offer advice or just a compassionate ear.

Likewise, being there for someone else can also reduce stress, because you gain a sense of connection and mutual support.

We humans are social beings, and even the most introverted among us can benefit from a genuine conversation.

Do you have someone you can reach out to when things get tough?

If not, maybe this is a good time to try to build new connections or reconnect with old friends.

It might feel awkward at first, but a simple text or phone call can go a long way.

The fourth strategy centers on time management.

One huge cause of stress is feeling like there's never enough time to complete all your tasks.

Whether it's homework, job assignments, errands, or personal projects, it's easy to become overwhelmed if we don't have a clear plan.

A helpful approach is to write down everything you need to do, then organize those tasks by priority.

Tackle the most important ones first, and be honest with yourself about how much you can realistically handle in a day.

If you notice it's too much, see if there's a way to postpone, delegate, or drop less important items.

Breaking larger tasks into smaller, more manageable steps can also make a big difference.

Instead of writing clean the entire house, you might break it down by rooms or by specific tasks, like vacuuming the living room or doing the dishes.

That way, you get a sense of accomplishment each time you check off a small step.

Another tip is to set aside a bit of buffer time for rest and unexpected events, so you're not constantly in a panic about running late.

Do you use any apps or calendars to manage your schedule, or do you prefer paper planners?

The fifth strategy is adopting a positive outlook and incorporating gratitude into your routine.

This doesn't mean you force yourself to be happy when you're not, but rather that you try to see challenges as opportunities to learn and grow.

For instance, if something doesn't go the way you planned, you could reflect on what went wrong and how you might do it differently next time.

You can also remind yourself that setbacks happen to everyone and that they don't define your worth.

Practicing gratitude can help you shift your focus from worries to the good things in your life.

Some people keep a journal where they write down a few things they're grateful for each day.

It can be as simple as appreciating a nice meal or feeling thankful for a friend who checked in on you.

Over time, this habit can train your mind to notice the positives rather than constantly dwelling on the negatives.

Being kind to yourself is another huge part of a healthy mindset.

If you make a mistake, try talking to yourself the way you'd talk to a close friend.

You wouldn't call your friend stupid or hopeless, right?

So be gentle with yourself and you might find that you recover from stress more quickly.

Those are the five strategies I wanted to share.

Moving your body, practicing mindfulness, staying connected to others, managing your time well, and working on a positive outlook.

Of course, there are more ways to handle stress, such as getting enough quality sleep or having creative hobbies, but I think this set of tips offers a good foundation.

Sometimes all it takes is a small change in habit to see a real difference in how you feel day to day.

Which one of these ideas do you think speaks to you the most?

I'd love to hear about any methods you already use to handle stress too.

Everyone's got their own tricks and it's always great to learn from each other.

Now as promised, I want to spend a few minutes explaining some of the words or phrases that might have been challenging.