Exercise and pills are the most common methods people use to lose weight, but other methods are just as effective. No, I am not talking about cutting any foods or undergoing into a strict meal plan. Here are six ways you can lose weight without resorting to pills or exercising yourself into the ground. You’ll find them extremely helpful when you put them to use.

1. Lower cortisol levels with adequate sleep

“Weight management is more than what you eat or counting calories”, says Robin Coale at nutrition myths debunked. Even exercise doesn’t necessarily help. Stress and sleep play a significant role in weight maintenance. If there are high levels of stress in your life, you’re not going to be able to lose weight. This fact is true whether the stress is from work, family, inadequate nutrition, too much exercise, not enough sleep or other stressors. This phenomenon occurs because of high levels of a hormone called cortisol. Until your cortisol levels come down, you’re out of luck losing weight and highly likely to gain more.

2. Increase metabolism rate through water therapy

Drinking a liter to a liter and a half of water every morning is considered an alternative remedy for losing weight. Even if it doesn’t help, it shouldn’t hurt. Just don’t overdo it. Drinking too much water can make you sick, so please stick to a litre or two each day as recommended.

3. Relax with a massage

Massage and relaxation also encourage weight loss. Human touch is an excellent way to decrease your cortisol levels. Relaxing activities are also great at lowering your body’s stress. Don’t feel the need to go out to a Spa, though if you can it’s a great experience and I highly recommend it. You can get similar benefits at home by allowing a friend or partner perform the massage. While you’re relaxing, keep in mind that positive stress is still stressful on your body. Even if you’re having fun, it’s not as helpful if it’s not calming.

4. Clean your house

“Netflix and chill” is not recommended if you’re trying to lose weight. Cleaning and decluttering the house yourself is a great light activity almost anyone can do. The less you’re sitting on the couch, the more calories you’re burning. Get everyone in the family involved in house cleaning and make it as a habit, for a more fun and wholesome bonding. You may have to ban electronic devices to get some of the heavier screen addicts off their butt.

5. Get out of your seat

Walking from place to place is an excellent way to shed more pounds. If you need to buy something in the nearest local store, just walk instead of driving your car. Hand over that file to your co-worker sitting on the next end of the hall instead of sharing it on a cloud drive. The activity is light, but that’s okay because it’s not the primary source of calories burned. The walking increases your metabolism all day long, not just during the walk itself. The more active you are overall, the more calories you burn even when being still afterwards.

6. Take a swim

Swimming is an excellent way to lose weight. First, your body is continuously cooled by the water around you, so it doesn’t feel like as much work. Second, the feeling of weightlessness while resting allows you to relax more efficiently and get right back to the fun. Don’t know how to swim? No problem, just enrol in swimming lessons at your local indoor pool.

Everyone has their preferred methods for working out. While it’s true that exercise programs and weight loss pills work, you can, however, drop them and start implementing these six tips, which will help lower your weight in no time. Just give them a try and you’ll see, they’re ideal for weight loss.

Featured photo credit: Susan Burrell via news.com.au