“Today, I refuse to stress myself out about things I cannot control to change.” 

Do you feel like you’re constantly under pressure? Do you find yourself constantly worrying about things out of your control? If so, you’re not alone.

Many people suffer from stress and anxiety-like my good friend Seif; it appears that these two are a part of life these days. It takes away dramatically from one’s overall quality of life. And if left unchecked, these problems can lead to serious health issues.

Not only women but also men can suffer from stress and anxiety. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, 40 million adults in the United States are affected by anxiety disorders, and that’s 18% of the population!

So, how can you relieve some of this pressure and tension? Surprisingly, there are many ways to do this without spending any money.

Before we go into stress management, let’s address some frequently asked questions about anxiety and related stress issues.

“Stress kills,” we have heard this phrase many times, and it’s been scientifically proven to be true.

How can we combat stress after a long day at work or school? How can we offset the emotional burdens of the current COVID-19 outbreak?

What is stress?

There is no simple answer to this question since stress manifests itself differently in each individual. For some, stress may be caused by a specific event, such as the death of a loved one, while others may feel chronically stressed due to difficult life circumstances or work-related stress pressure.

Generally speaking, however, we can say that stress is all about emotional and physical tension, along with anxiety that consumes the mind. If you like to know more about stress, you can check the American Psychological Association.

What is stress relief?

Stress relief is a state of feeling calm and in control. It’s a sense of being able to handle whatever comes your way. Stress relief can be helpful for coping with stressors in your life. It can improve your health by reducing the harmful effects of stress on your body.

There are many different ways to achieve stress relief, including exercise, relaxation techniques, time outdoors, socializing, and meditation. What works best for you will depend on your own personality and preferences. Experiment until you find a few methods that work well for you, and make sure to use them regularly.

Common Signs and Symptoms of stress and anxiety can include:

* irritability or moodiness

* sleep problems, such as insomnia or sleeping too much

* racing thoughts or constant worry. It can feel like your mind is on overdrive, no matter what you do to calm it down. You may also have difficulty concentrating because of all the clutter in your head.

* feeling jumpy or on edge

* a pounding heart or tight chest

* muscle tension, headaches, and stomach problems such as nausea, diarrhea, and constipation.

What is Chronic stress?

When you’re under a lot of pressure for a long time, it can take its toll on your physical and emotional health, known as chronic stress.

Chronic stress can be caused by:

* relationship problems with family members or friends; financial worries; work-related issues such as job security, too much work and not enough time off, or feeling overwhelmed

* health problems such as pain, anxiety, and a disease diagnosis

* traumatic life events such as the death of a loved one, divorce

What happens to your body when you are stressed?

Your body goes into fight or flight mode when you’re stressed or anxious. Your heart beats faster, and your blood pressure rises. You breathe faster to supply oxygen to your lungs, muscles, and brain. Your senses become sharper so you can respond quickly to any threat (real or imagined).

Your immune system also goes into overdrive, preparing you to deal with injury or infection. It can lead to ulcers, high blood pressure, heart disease, and asthma-like also can cause fatigue in overall physical health.

How to relieve stress without spending any money?

There are many ways to reduce stress today that don’t involve spending any money.

If you’re looking for a cheap and easy way to manage stress, you’ve come to the right place! This blog post will discuss two different methods that you can use without spending much money.

Whether you like to bike or shoot hoops, there are plenty of activities that can help reduce your stress levels. So read on and find out how you can get relief from anxiety and stress today!

Here is a testimonial from my friend Seif who found a way to deal with stress by biking or shooting hoops.

A brief introduction to my friend Seif.

He has a demanding job that requires him to interact with people daily.

A job like that put a lot of stress on his physical and mental health, and he could not cope very well with it.

The main symptom that I noticed in Seif is his chest pains and high blood pressure when he talks about the issue at work.

Seif said: “There’s so much pressure on me from my boss to complete these projects on time.”

“I can’t even enjoy my time off because I’m always worried about the next day.”

How many of you can relate to his situation?

I advised him to practice yoga or deep breathing to reduce stress, and he did. However, he didn’t care for it, and he wanted something more exciting and in a quicker paste.

When he is dealing with many anxiety or stressful situations, he feels overwhelmed, so stress management is essential.

Seif has found a way to deal with stress by biking or shooting hoops.

My friend has always been fascinated by bikes.

He loves the feeling of wind rushing through his hair as he pedals down the street. And he’s just as passionate about shooting hoops. He can spend hours at the park, sinking shot after shot.

I used to think it was strange that someone could be so into two such different activities. But now I understand why my friend loves them so much. They’re both a great way to reduce stress and tension. Biking allows him to get some physical exercise and clear his mind while shooting hoops is fun to let off some steam.

I’m grateful that my friend has found two activities that help work-related stress out of his system, and it’s made life a lot more enjoyable for him.

Let’s give him a chance to share some of his thoughts on how biking or shooting hoops can help relieve stress:

“I’m a stressed person who has a problem with anxiety and stress, and what can help me?

“My job been particularly stressful lately, and it’s nice to be able to get away from all that for an hour or so each day.”

I work in property management, and I like my job! There’s so much to do, and it never gets boring; there are always new challenges to face.

But it is also a stressful aspect of my job; I regularly deal with numerous complaints and emergencies.

Fortunately, I’ve discovered two methods for relieving some of the stress. No, Lol, it’s not sex. Basketball and biking/cycling have been two of my favorite sports.

“Biking and shooting hoops are my ways of escaping from the world. When I’m riding my bike, it’s just me and nature out on the open road. And when I’m shooting hoops, I don’t have to think about anything except making the shot.”

“It’s also a great way of getting some exercise, which is something I always need more of.”

Sometimes I get stressed out, but I need to go for a bike ride or shoot some hoops, which relieves the stress.

Here are two of my favorites activities you can do if you want to relieve your stress:

#1. Shoot hoops at the park or in your driveway – also a great way to get some exercise.

The jumping, sprinting, and other physical demands of Basketball release endorphins. Endorphins activate opioid receptors in the brain that help reduce discomfort and also help generate feelings of euphoria and general wellbeing. After 30 minutes of jump shooting, rebounding, and dribbling up and down the basketball court, I feel the stress melting away.

Plus, I can get some exercise while having fun! So if you have access to a basketball or hoop in your driveway, shoot some hoops and watch the stress melt away.

“If you’re looking for a fun way to manage stress without spending any money, give shooting hoops a try. You’ll be glad you did!”

There is also the mental side of basketball.

You’re always thinking about your form when you shot, how to dribble past your opponent to set up your shot, strategizing how to defend your opponent, and planning out your game. You are no longer thinking about the stress at work, school, or home. Basketball also keeps you motivated, and you are determined to make that “cool” move your favorite player makes. You were encouraged by the fact that you hit a few jump shots in a row. 

Mental health

These mental stimulants are great for relieving stress and can also build your confidence & improve self-esteem. 

Basketball also promotes better sleep. Activities that get your heart rate up have been shown to improve sleep and battle insomnia. Not getting enough sleep slows your cognitive performance, and lack of sleep also weakens your immune system. Not getting enough sleep can bring on anxiety and stress. 

You don’t have to be an athlete. Give it a try! Just 30 mins of shooting and doing some lite layups can be beneficial. So grab your sneakers and a ball and shoot some hoops and watch the stress melt away. 

Basketball is a fantastic way to keep fit, promote cardiovascular health, and relieve stress. 

#2. Go for a bike ride – it’s free and a great way to get some exercise.

Biking is a basic form of exercise. Your body releases the feel-good hormones that lift your mood when you exercise. Biking teaches your body to reduce cortisol levels (the stress hormone), and this communication can help reduce stress. 

Biking also helps you get in touch with nature. Trail biking or just biking at your local park has significant benefits for your mental health and well-being. An hour or two of biking while connecting with nature helps us escape our day-to-day living stresses.

After riding my bike outdoors and getting some fresh air I have found that I feel a little more grounded.

I’m reminded that the world does not revolve around me and my problems. While riding, I feel as if I’m meditating.

I just let my mind wander, and my body does the work. It’s a great way to reduce the constant noise in your head.

Stress can drain the excitement out of life. Biking with friends can be exciting. You look forward to spending time with your friends, and the competition it creates and sharing a laugh and having fun does wonders to fight anxiety and stress. Having people to spend time with and unwind from stress can boost your life needs. Biking with friends can be healthy fun. 

Biking, unlike basketball, is a low-impact sport, and Cycling puts less stress on your joints than any other aerobic activity. Biking is not a load-bearing sport; the act of sitting while pedaling takes the pressure off your joints and reduces the risk of injuring them. So grab your bike, put on your helmet, find a trail, and reduce that stress and anxiety that has been plaguing you. 

And like basketball, you can bike by yourself or with friends. You don’t have to be Lance Armstrong or have the latest cycling gear to enjoy a good ride outdoors.

Simply jump on your bike and ride around the neighborhood- it’s one of the cheapest, long-term, and easiest methods to reduce stress!

Final Thoughts:

We all have a busy life those days that can cause so much stress, but we have to find a way to relieve some of it. There are many other things to do to relieve stress that you can do instead of spending money. 

Go for a walk, play with your dog or cat, listen to music, dance around the house, call up a friend, clean out a closet or drawer- whatever works for you.

Biking and playing basketball are great exercises to lower stress levels without spending any money! They get your heart rate up, help you connect with nature, get some fresh air and provide a fun way to spend time with friends.

 So get a ball, meet up with some friends, and let’s play some b-ball to manage stress without breaking the bank!

Let me know what you like to do to manage stress in the comments below!

Thank you for reading.

Good luck, my friend; best wishes from me to you.