powerful Stress Management Tips
enough for a whole year
check out this list of 40 Stress Management Tips
adapted from an informative Reader's Digest article
The following list of stress management tips can go a long way to helping you re-balance your life.
- Breathe easily: Breathing
from your diaphragm oxygenates your blood, which helps you relax almost
instantly.
- Visualize calm: It sounds
new age-y, but it's highly effective in reducing stress.
- Give yourself a mini
self-massage: Massage the palm of one hand by making a circular motion with the
thumb of the other.
- Try a tonic: Try a nerve
tonic from your local health food store, or consult a licensed homeopath.
- Say cheese: Smiling is a
two-way mechanism. We smile when we're relaxed & happy, but smiling can
also make us feel relaxed & happy.
- Take your stress temperature: Rate your current stress level on a scale of 1-10 to gain perspective. It may be lower than you think.
- Stop gritting your teeth:
Stress tends to settle in certain parts of our bodies, the jaw being one of
them.
- Compose a mantra: Devise an
affirmation -- a short, clear, positive statement that focuses on your coping
abilities.
- Check your chi: Chi is the
vital life force that flows throughout the body. It regulates the body’s
functions.
- Be a fighter: At the first
sign of stress, don’t complain: focus on being predictive, proactive & responsive, not just reactive.
- Write it down: Writing
provides perspective. Get your thoughts down on paper.
- Count to 10: Before you say
or do something you'll regret, step away from the stressor and collect
yourself.
- Switch to decaf: Wean
yourself slowly, though, or you might get a caffeine-withdrawal headache. Work with the body, not against it.
- Just say no: Trying to do
everything is a one-way ticket to serious stress.One of the most important stress management tips.
- Take a whiff: Oils of
anise, basil, bay, chamomile, eucalyptus, lavender, peppermint, rose, and thyme
are all soothing.
- Create some friction and warmth. Then cup them over your closed eyes for 5
seconds & breathe.
- Say yes to pressure & tapping:
Acupressure & EFT Tapping stimulate your acupuncture points with fingers instead
of needles.
- Schedule worry time: Many
low-grade stressors can be dealt with at a later time, when it's more
convenient.
- Shake it up: Stand or sit,
stretch your arms out from your sides and shake your hands hard for 10 seconds
& breathe deeply.
- Munch some snacks:
High-carbohydrate foods stimulate the release of serotonin, feel-good brain chemicals
that help induce calm.
- Boost your vitamin intake:
Take a daily, high-quality, well-balanced supplement. Modern diets lack most needed vitamins.
- Don’t forget minerals. There are dozens of important minerals needed by the body to operate the stress response system correctly.
- You are what you eat/drink. Beware randomly formulated nutrients, such as the B-complex. Quality and completeness count.
- Admit it: Pay attention to
your personal stress signals to slow the buildup of negativity & anxiety.
Everyone is different.
- Space out: Stare out the
window and find something natural that captures your imagination. Dreaming is good.
- Try tea: Try the calming
properties of Chamomile, Catnip, Passionflower, Skullcap or Kava Kava tea.
- Take a walk: It forces you
to breathe more deeply and improves circulation.
- Soak it up: Nothing is more
stress relieving than a hot bath. An excellent stress management tip for everyone.
- Play a few bars: Music
soothes the savage “stress” beast. Try some classical, jazz or the natural sounds of nature.
- Fall for puppy love:
Petting an animal for just a couple of minutes helps relieve stress. Get a dog.
- Practice mindfulness:
Heighten your awareness of the moment by focusing intently on an object.
Mindfulness leads to relaxation.
- Dial a friend: Sharing your
troubles can give you perspective, help you feel cared for and relieve your
burden.
- Stretch it out. Stretching loosens muscles and encourages deep
breathing. One of the best stress management tips of all.
- Say a little prayer:
Studies show that compared with those who profess no faith, religious &
spiritual people are calmer & healthier.
- Make plans to do for
something nice: Looking forward to something provides calming perspective.
- Goof off: It temporarily
removes you from stressful situations. So many great stress management tips, not enough time to use them.
- Straighten up: Slumping
restricts breathing & reduces blood & oxygen flow to the brain.
- Tiptoe through the tulips:
Tending your garden helps get you out of your head & lets you commune with
nature... very relaxing.
- Put up a wall from time to
time: Be clear about your limits, and stop trying to please everyone all the
time.
- Follow a routine for a mental break. Few stress management tips are better than being consistent and using routines and systems.
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