Three Fast Ways To Overcome Stress
Stress Overload
Do You Suffer From Stress Over-load?
Stress is something that we all have to deal with what with major life changes, social situations and relationships. We worry, we fret and even lose sleep which causes even more stress.
So what are we to do? How do we learn to live without the "S" word? Stress is part of life. But stress is manageable and it doesn't always require a trip to the Doctor. What it does require is this:
- A few minutes of your time
- A change in your thinking
- Body awareness
We have 24 hours each and every day to spend. Now 8-10 hours are spent in sleeping (or they should be). That leaves time to spend for driving, work, caring for the kids, writing, grooming, eating, donating our services, shopping, studying, school and recreation.
Tension builds up gradually and it doesn't take a break until we acknowledge it. By then, it's too late. The knots are already forming in your neck and back and a headache begins to pound right into your skull.
But hold on now - you.re about to be introduced to some fast-acting tips to help reduce those stressful times.
Stress can take a huge toll on our health, both mentally and physically. And for most of us stress has even become a way of life. Make way for a heart-attack!
What You Can Do To Relieve And Reduce Stress
While there are several methods we can use to overcome stress, only 3 are needed to provide immediate results. These three will give you fast relief and can be done anytime of the day. Make these excercises a daily habit
By setting aside just a few minutes to do these exercises, you'll feel better, accomplish more, be a happier person, live longer and reduce stress. Now isn't that worth devoting a short time each day to the most important person in the world - YOU!
Let's get started.
Take a Laugh Break
For The Next Few Minutes I Want Your Full Attention!
For the next few minutes you are going to devote some time to yourself. Yes...you! Let your voice mail pick up messages and turn the volume down or completely off. No distractions. Send the kids out to play or put them down for a nap. Turn off the television and bolt the front door. If you must, hang a "do not disturb" sign on the door.
This is YOUR time to rid your body and mind of all stress clutter. If you must, lock yourself in your car. No one is invited to invade this precious few minutes that you so richly deserve.
Ready? Let's go.
1. To Reduce Stress, Practice Diaphragmatic Breathing Known As the "Belly Breath"
Diaphragmatic breathing adds years to your life and life to your years. It also helps with reducing tension and stress. This is one reason we are told to "take a deep breath" during an emergency. Begin to be more aware of your breathing throughout the day. Correct any bad habits. Your goal is to replace your present way of breathing with diaphragmatic breathing.
Here's how to begin connecting with diaphragmatic breathing:
- Make yourself comfortable. Lying down is preferred, but you may also sit up if you choose.
- Now, take a deep breath and concentrate on your breathing. Release your shoulder and neck area. With each new breath, release even more air. Visualize the neck and shoulders as soft fluffy clouds...continue breathing as you release every last bit of tension.
- As you inhale, pretend that your belly, rib cage and lungs are filling a balloon with air. Avoid any movement in the shoulders. Keep focusing on relaxing the neck and shoulder area as you inhale.
- This time, as you exhale your air, do so very slowly and hiss like a snake until you are completely out of air. The longer you hiss, the more tension you will release. If you would like a complete lesson on breathing and how to use the belly correctly, click here.
Go back to the beginning of this portion on breathing and repeat the exercises as many times as needed. Eventually your new way of breathing will become automatic.
*A word of caution. If you experience light-headiness or dizziness stop immediately. You are hyperventilating due to low levels of carbon dioxide ( C02). To prevent hyperventilation - blow into a small paper bag a couple of times.
2. Take a Brisk Walk to Alleviate Stress
How does something as simple as walking help to reduce and overcome stress? Check out these benefits of walking in the list below:
- Walking will free your mind from stress as it releases tension in your body. With brisk walking your mind detaches itself from daily pressure and worry.
- Walking costs you nothing, but a few minutes of your time and even just 10 minutes will have you feeling better.
- Our body isn't meant to be in a sitting position all day. Try to avoid sitting longer than 20 minutes at a time. Get up and move!
- Walking improves the mood by boosting endorphins. These endorphins actually reduce stress and alleviate mild depression while lifting your self-esteem.
- When we walk we improve our stress resilience by lowering the levels of the stress hormone cortisol.
Walking is invigorating, both mentally and physically. When your brain is tired, or you begin to suffer from "scrambled brains", just get up out of that chair and go for a walk. You'll feel great and be ready to take on the day - ot finish it.
So, when stress and tension have drained you of your power and energy, get moving. Recharge your battery with a short, rhymical walk.
Laughter is an Instant Vacation
Laughter - The Immediate Cure For Stress
Laughter is indeed the best medicine. We've all heard it, but do we practice it enough? Do we set aside time to read a humorous book or anecdote? When is the last time you went to a comedy club?
- I like to watch my PTS DVD collection of the Johnny Carson shows, or watch an old black and white " 3 Stooges " film.
- Laughing will chase away stress faster than anything. It's free and you only need one or two laughs to do the job.
- Whenever possible, surround yourself with people who are fun. Link up with positive people.
- Laughter is a powerful antidote to stress and pain.
- Laughter is one of the best resources we have for diminishing pain and stress.
- Laughter will relax your entire body and keep it relaxed for up to 45 minutes.
- When you laugh, endorphins are released (those are the feel-good chemicals) and not only do you relieve stress, you can relieve pain as well.
I have included some funny pictures below as well as a video or two. Trust me - you're bound to feel better after a good roaring laugh releases all that tension.
Even if there is nothing to laugh about, laugh on credit.
A good, real, unrestrained, hearty laugh is a sort of glorified internal massage, performed rapidly and automatically. It manipulates and revitalizes corners and unexplored crannies of the system that are unresponsive to most other exercise methods. ~Author unknown, from an editorial in New-York Tribune, quoted in Quotations for Special Occasions by Maud van Buren
A Note From The Author
I wish you each enough joy to help sustain you through the tough times. Stress just isn't worth the penalty your body and mind are charged with. Change your thinking to change your stress-level. The mind is where it all begins. Nothing, absolutely nothing is as powerful as your own amazing mind.
You are the power and the authority in your world.
Thanks to each of you for being here.
Namaste
Resource
© 2011 Audrey Hunt
Comments
AUTHORGail - Thanks so much for being here, reading my hub, leaving a comment and voting!
Cute, but still informative hub! Great pictures! I must admit, I chuckled. LOL Voted up and useful.
May I add singing under a quick cool shower? Thank you for a great hub. It is definitely worth a vote up!
- AUTHOR
sunkentreasure - These comments are wonderful! Thank you for your contribution. I can't thank you enough!
FOLLOW HAPPINESS By BERNARD LEVINE
Listen to the voice inside you and be at peace in your mind.
It’s amazing that you can talk to the Creator of this vast universe
in a soft whisper
one-to-one
and He listens to you.
Only through prayer will you find
your true inner self and liberty.
Prayer is the key that opens the door to the awesome power of God.
True happiness comes in abundance when you pray to God with all your heart.
In this world, it doesn’t matter what people think of you…
the only thing that matters is what God thinks of you.
Follow what makes you happy and fills you with passion.
The key to inner wealth is to make melody your friend.
Treasure this day that God has given you
to be more open and to love more fully.
Call out the seeds of greatness
and encourage someone.
When you deposit your love into the hearts of strangers
That’s when miracles begin.
Enrich your soul soaking in the beauty of nature.
Take time to tell someone about Jesus.
Walk through the world with eyes of love.
When you reach out to bless the poor
You’ll change your life forever.
It’s your daily prayer that refreshes you
from the clutter and noise of the world.
Take responsibility for your life and future.
Thank God for His goodness and all the blessings He gives you.
God’s genius is everywhere.
Live your best life.
©Bernard Levine
- AUTHOR
Dear Prasetio ~ I appreciate your comments on this hub. Sometimes we are not aware that we are stressed, but sooner or later our bodies send us this message in the form of a headache, sore neck, sleepless nights and over or under-eating. You teach children which is the highest calling we can have. You partly form the minds of our future leaders and law makers. Thank you, my friend.
Chatkath - Hello my friend. I hope you are doing well. How's the breathing working for you? I'm glad to hear that you use deep breathing to relax. It's always a joy to have you stop by. Sending you a big hug!
Simple and effective strategies for stress relief. Voted up and useful.
- AUTHOR
Jlava - So glad some of my tips are helping you. Breathing deeply is the fastest way to relieve stress, followed by a variety of tips listed above. Sorry you have been so stressed and hope things are better by now. If not, just let me know and I will help you. Thanks!
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Excellent tips. I'll try the breathing exercizes. I have been ultra stressed lately and your tips were just what is needed.
- AUTHOR
feenix - Your comments have given me an extra dose of confidence for which I want to thank you. I can tell by the way you have written to me that I am going to become a fan of your hubs. I hope to see you again...soon.
- AUTHOR
thelyricwriter - Thank you for liking my hub. It is so nice to see you. I appreciate your comments.
- AUTHOR
Hyphenbird - I think you are one of the most beautiful people I have ever met...here on Hubpages, or otherwise.
I love your integrity...your genuiness...your regard for others. Thank you. I am sending you a rainbow.
- AUTHOR
Dear LITA - Your comments are wonderful! I felt close to you as you described your delimma. And just look at how well you handled your decision. I second that! Those big guys are worth their weight in gold. Thank you!
I woke up early today toying with the idea of fixing my long un-attended garden due to my frequent absence in my home. Will I ask for help or do it myself? This alone brings me stress. What a good read I just did here. Now I know what to do- seek for help from the big guys in the neighborhood, those who often make me laugh. Cheers!
- AUTHOR
Germaine - Thank you for visiting my hub. You have given some useful and helpful comments. Deep breathing is indeed the fastest and easiest way to immediately reduce stress.
Sound advice, breathing, I've found, is one of the easiest ways to alleviate feelings of stress and tension and it really does help to ground you, too. Thanks for a useful hub. Voted up!
- AUTHOR
Thank you, beautiful acaetnna! I have to agree that there is nothing better for stressful times than a good hearty dose of laughter, and I thank you for your vote and buttons!
What a completely great hub, so useful. It certainly made me laugh and that, in my opinion, is the best form of stress relief. Voting up and pressing those buttons too.
- AUTHOR
Hi Allen - Thanks for the follow and for leaving your comments here. And please do re-read some of this from time to time. It really will help. I am so glad that I could make you smile and that you enjoyed reading this. Bet you have an engaging smile too :)
@vocalcoach
These days it is so hard for me to crack a smile let alone laugh, but I did enjoy reading this. I will need to come back to it again to let some of the humor hit me a second time to do what it was supposed to do; make me laugh. Thanks for the smiles. It was fun reading.
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A great article with useful tips Vocal Coach. Well done and voted up and useful. Stress us very important to manage. As you said, the end result could be a heart attack.
Hello, vocalcoach,
Well, you succeeded at making an educational article quite entertaining. In other words, not only is this post very informative and useful, it is fun to read.
And thank you very much for writing and publishing this very important post. I am bookmarking it so I can refer to it over-and-over again. I need to do that.
- AUTHOR
Dim - Reading your delightful comments gave me an extra treat this morning. And now I'm laughing. Had to go back and read my own hub to see what was so funny. So thanks for giving me a great start to a new, fresh day! Hugs
My dear Vocalcoach...... The videos made me laugh so much l need to go back to read the hub again. Tears of laughter are rolling down my cheeks and ¨YES´ Laughter is sure, the best medicine. Voted UP!
- AUTHOR
Hello, hello. I am happy to hear that my hub is helpful. I, too prefer laughter and walking (in that order). Have a good day tomorrow.
cloverleaf - Laughter is the fastest way to de-stress
and I do this as much as possible and every single day for sure. Hahahahaha. Thank you.
Denise, my friend - So glad you liked the videos. The Bush video just cracked me up! Some good editing on that one. Thanks for coming by when you are so busy!
Very great help. I personally would choose laughter and/or going for a walk.
Hi Audrey, laughing is the best form of medicine and one of my favourite ways to de-stress. Excellent hub as always!!!
Humor is always a great stress buster! I love the use of your videos here.
- AUTHOR
Rebecca - I haven't seen you in ages! Thanks for coming by and for your commenting.
so very true, we have to breathe in and out, but we do forget that sometimes!
stress are everywhere and its a good thing that we can overcome them in simple and free ways. don't also forget to be with positive people what will give you positive energy and outlook.
- AUTHOR
Barbara Kay - So glad you stopped by. I know how busy you are. This hub challenge is indeed challenging. I hope I make it because my desk is a mess :) Thanks so much!
Pamela - How right you are. We can learn alot from children on avoiding stress. Like you say, they laugh a lot. They also are so forgiving. Thank you Pamela!
Hi Audrey, 3 great relaxation tips, I have had my brisk walk this morning and done the breathing excercises and the videos have made me laugh, I'm feeling pretty good!
Voting up and useful!
What an inspiring hub Audrey! The breathing really does help, I use at night sometimes when I can't relax, I just have to remember to use when I am in the middle of a meltdown! Voted up and useful!
Great hub! I have been trying to de-stress in my life every since we moved to Milwaukee, but I still need to take some of this advice more often.
OMG, I've never laughed so much in my life. Robin Williams blew me away and George Bush, what can i say? I loved it. All of your tips on relaxation were great, but the videos were the best. Thank you............
I agree 3 times- breathing, walking, and laughing. Laughter has been said to be the best medicine. I gleaned much from your hub. Thank you!
- AUTHOR
Mentalist Acer - I love your tip! I started drinking a nice full glass of ice water as you suggested. It works!
Thank you so very much my friend. vocalcoach
Paradise - You're not clueless. We all take breathing for granted. Yoga is excellent for stress reduction. And I love going for a walk to reduce tension. Great comments. Thank you!
- AUTHOR
Green Lotus - You've got the right idea - breathe! And thanks for the vote up, my friend. Oh...and...you are a Breath of fresh air. :)
daniellehorgan - I must read your hub on how to be a happier person. How wonderful to find that our tips overlap! So glad you stopped by. See you soon and look for my comments. Thank you!
What a great hub! I especially love the videos! I have also written a hub on how to be a happier person-I find that a lot of our tips overlap! Just shows how intertwined stress levels and happiness really are
Voted up and useful! I do try to stop and just breathe at least once a day (preferably after getting up in the morning and before going to bed :)
The breathing part is the beginning of yoga exercises for me. I didn't really know it also helped me to reduce stress! (How clueless I can be sometimes!) I also do know, when I am seriously stressed out, that a good walk is a better answer than ice cream, even.
I love the laughter therapy; we should all include it in our daily lives. Don't we all love to laugh?
I think you batted 1000!
Really Funny Hub! I found that whatever is stressing me out I stressed myself out worse by thinking and analizing the situation to much replaying it over and over again in my mind. Vote Up!
I Always Find Drinking A Large Glass Of Ice Cold Water Calms My Nervous Stomach.;)
Thanks For The Tips Vocalcoach.;)
Oh I should try the laughter and the breathing! Sometimes I take things so seriously I fail to see the humor in things, which only makes me more stressed! Sometimes, I shoot up a prayer immediately or start to imagine the words to a song that focuses my attention on something worthy.
Thank you for sharing this! It will definitely help so many of us!
Very inspiring hub. I agree with you that laughter is the fastest way to overcome stress. I often did this to my life. I love all your tips above. I'll share this to everyone. Vote up!
Prasetio
This was good topic and some of the photos you collected are enough to help stress. They are hillarious.
I agree with you completely on the ways to reduce stress. If as adults we could laugh often as children do I'm sure we would all be emotionally healthier. Very good hub.
- AUTHOR
drbj - Good evening, my friend - Breathing is the best. So very glad it helped you fall asleep. Awesome! I will hold you to your promise to walk more as long as you bring me some dessert too. Just read your hub on Mickey Mouse. Amazing!!! You are just too talented for your own good :)
Great advice to relieve stress, Audrey. I tried the breathing exercises which were excellent. I relieved all my stress by falling asleep.
I promise to walk more and as you already know, laughter is my middle name. Well, not really my middle name but I do know its supreme importance.
BTW, stressed spelled backwards is desserts. Think I'll go take that walk now and get me some. Thank you for those hilarious videos. :)
This is good vocalcoach. It helped me a lot to unwind from my very stressful week. Thank you so much, yo must have known I was in need.
Johnny Carson, two thumbs up. Of course I believe you are on to something when you recommend breathing, noting it's importance. :) 16/30 whoo---
Very cute and funny Hub. Enjoyed the stress releif thanks.
You are such a good person to put this on hubpages. up/awesome and really helpful.
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