Stress Relief

Everyone has to deal with stress at one time or another. And in some ways, that's not a bad thing. Stress keeps us at the top of our game. If we didn't care whether or not we succeeded at work, hit it off with a new friend, or learned a new task, we'd never be motivated to move outside our comfort zone, and oh how dull life would be!

While a little stress is a great motivator, however, too much stress can make us sick in both body and spirit. If you're experiencing too much stress, try these simple stress relief techniques.

Simple Stress Relief Tip #1: Exercise Regularly

If you've had a long hard day, a treadmill or an aerobics class is probably the last thing you want to face. Before you retreat to your couch, however, remember that exercise is a great way to blow off steam if you've had a tough day. Exercise also floods the brain with neurotransmitters that increase your sense of well being. And since many people stress over the size and shape of their bodies, following a regular exercise program can alleviate this source of tension.

Simple Stress Relief Tip #2: Don't Binge Drink

It's okay to have a glass of wine or a beer in the evenings-the newest research suggests that it might even be good for you-but don't drink to the point of intoxication. It may temporarily ease the stress you're feeling, but since alcohol is a depressant, you'll only feel worse in the long run. And if you thought your boss was hard to handle before, just imagine what he'll be like when you're nursing a hangover.



Simple Stress Relief Tip #3: Employ All of Your Senses

An old cliché reminds us to "take time to smell the flowers." Even if sniffing roses isn't your thing, however, the spirit of the advice is correct. Sometimes in this rush, rush, rush world we live so much in our heads that we all but forget about our bodies until some ache or pain reminds us. Take some time to enjoy a soothing massage, soak in a tub of hot water, savor a delicious meal, light a candle and enjoy the scent, or appreciate the feel of your dog's furry ears under your fingers. It's amazing just how relaxing a place your body can be when you choose to inhabit it fully.

Simple Stress Relief Tip #4: Make Time for the Things You Love

Are you a book lover who hasn't made a trip to the library or the local bookstore in ages? A pet owner who hardly ever has time for your pet? Whatever you love to do, whether it's watching television, playing computer games, writing in a journal, or taking a long walk on a beautiful trail, do your best to make time for it. Participating in activities you love is part of what makes life worth living.

Simple Stress Relief Tip #5: Keep a Brag Book

It's human nature to remember the negatives at the expensive of the positives. For instance, you can probably recite almost verbatim the last criticism your boss gave you. But do you remember the last compliment? When someone says something nice to you, even if it's admiring an outfit you hate or complimenting you on losing weight when you've actually gained ten pounds, take a moment to write it down. When you're feeling stressed, you can go back to your book and read all the wonderful things about yourself.

Did your boss just yell at you? Was a customer rude? Are you super-stressed about a report due at work? If so, there are several simple techniques you can use for stress relief.

Be Aware of Your Body

The first trick to fast stress and anxiety relief is in knowing when you are tense. What does tension feel like for you? Do your shoulders tighten up? Does your jaw clench? Make it a point to "check in" with your body a few times a day. If you find signs of tension, it's time to activate some plans for stress and anxiety relief.

Get Moving

Stand up and stretch, take a walk, go jogging on your lunch hour, or schedule a twenty-minute workout at the end of the day. Moving your body is one way to relieve stress and anxiety quickly.

Take Time to Breathe

Go into your office, cubicle, or some other place where you will not be interrupted. Take a deep breath. Inhale through your nose, hold your breath for a count of three, and exhale through your mouth. Do this ten times, and you will feel the tension in your body melt away.

Use Imagery

Another surefire method for stress and anxiety relief is to imagine yourself someplace else, someplace you find relaxing and comforting. Many people imagine a favorite spot in the wilderness, or a favorite room in their house.

Challenge Irrational Thoughts

As you become more upset, your thoughts may become more irrational and catastrophic. (For instance, "If I don't get this report finished on time, I'll lose my job, and my wife will divorce me, and I'll end up homeless%u2026") Stop the irrational thoughts as soon as you notice them and replace them with a more realistic assessment. "Asking for a two day extension won't be the end of the world," or, "If I take a deep breath and focus, I can bring this in on time."

Break Large Tasks into Small Steps

If you're overwhelmed at the idea of completing a large project, break it up into small steps. Give yourself a little reward, like a trip to the soda machine or a five-minute mini-break after completing each tiny step.

Lay Off Caffeine and Sugar

Ever seen a two-year old get completely wired after eating a couple of cookies or drinking a pop? That's exactly what happens to adults when we take in too much sugar or caffeine. But since we can't very well run around the office making airplane noises, we carry the stress in our bodies.

Take a Play Break

Some professionals keep "squish" balls at their desk to squeeze for fast relief of stress and anxiety. Other people take a few minutes to play a game at www.addictinggames.com. They're quick (less than five minutes), easy to play, and many don't require a download.

Blow Off Steam... Judiciously

There's nothing wrong with venting a little, but words spoken in anger can haunt you for a long time if they're read or overheard by the wrong person. Don't put anything in email you don't want the whole office to see.

Don't Expect To Avoid All Sources of Stress

Finally, remember that it's natural to feel stress when you leave your comfort zone. Some stress must be endured as you expand your horizons, learn new tasks and earn new responsibilities. That kind of stress may not be much fun, but in the long run, it's worth it!

Our world seems to be spinning so fast; nobody ever seems to be able to catch up. It produces stress that builds each day. People wake up the next day and go through the same thing. On and on it continues until someone has a heart attack. Then they realize the harm that stress can do to the body.



Other people develop what they think is a coping mechanism by not revealing all of who they are. They become cold and hard to talk to. The problem with this is that they don't realize that they have over time pushed everyone out of their life and when they retire they end up alone with no friends. People need to stop and realize that there are several things that can be done for stress relief that will improve all aspects of ones life.

One way to deal with stress is to confront it when it bubbles up. One thing you can do for stress relief is to stop and get up and do some simple stretching of ones muscles. It might be best done where there is some privacy or others will cause you more stress. Stretching allows the blood to flow better threw the body and eases stress out. It also feels good to stretch.

Other Things You Can Do for Stress Relief

Something that can really take all of the stress from the body is to work out during your lunch hour. A person will feel great and more awake after taking the time to exercise. It is a healthy endeavor and can make the second half of the day breeze by without anything left to bother people. The more that a person does this the better they will feel. Work performance will go up and the opportunity for advancement will be the end result. Things you can do for stress relief are usually helpful in other areas of ones life too.

More things you can do for stress relief include but are not limited to walking. Getting out of the office building and seeing how the world is moving and the beauty of the trees and small flowers or the bird sitting on the railing can make people forget about their worries albeit for a few minutes. When they come back in, it feels like they were gone a long time.

These are all effective ways to fight stress daily. Trying one or more of these things regularly might help you to live a longer more fulfilled life.