How to Reduce Stress Tips
Stress
Did these tips help you?
Your body does not know the difference between mental stress and actual danger. Movies, video games, and sports can all be mental triggers for the body to go into stress mode. It is a good idea after taking part in these activities to wind down your stress by doing deep breathing and visualization.
Reducing Stress
Come on lets face it, life is crammed full of frustrating demands, problems, and deadlines. For most of us stress is just a way of life. But stress even though it creates a feeling of anxiety shouldn't be thought of as a bad thing. Stress is a motivator and can help you get things done and perform to the best of your ability. The problems come in when your body and mind begin to be taxed by always being in a state of emergency. This will exact a price on you in the long run. Here I list some ways to reduce stress and help you slow down.
When stress hits there is a cascade of changes taking place in your body. This happens to help you deal with the situation but will leave you with a serious crash effect on your body. These tips will help you to deal with that stress.
Take Five
When anxiety begins to build and you feel your composure slipping into the abyss of rising emotions its time to take five. If you have a watch or are near a clock focus your attention and consciously slow down your breathing to six breaths a minute. Inhale for five seconds and release for five seconds, do this until the anxiety is reduced.
Just One Minute
If you are freaking out in your head take a minute for yourself. Close your eyes and breath deeply and slowly. Everyone can spare one minute for their own sanity. Try to picture a calming relaxing scene in your mind as you breath. Splash water on your face if you can and then take one last deep breath.
Time for a Vacation
This is a no brainer but we aren't talking umbrella drinks in coconut cups and cabana boys on white sandy beaches and turquoise blue ocean waters. This is a mental check out; envision a place you like to go or a relaxing activity you like to partake in. Try to remember the smells and sensations of the place or activity. Listen in your mind to the sounds.
Yawn
This is one of the very best ways to reduce stress. Yawing increases the oxygen to your brain and will allow your body to relax the tension that has built up in your jaw and face. This is called a power yawn.
Write it Out
Yup keep a stress journal. Writing what is making your life feel out of control can really help you deal with the anxiety. If you have trouble writing just write out words that you feel. After a few minutes stop and see if your stress level has decreased.
These seem like pretty simple things we should already know but I am often amazed at how these steps get overlooked by people in stressful situations. Thanks for reading this article and good luck with reducing your own stress.
