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.

1. Breathe easily: Breathing from your diaphragm oxygenates your blood, which helps you relax almost instantly.
2. Visualize calm: It sounds new age-y, but it's highly effective in reducing stress.
   
3. Give yourself a mini self-massage: Massage the palm of one hand by making a circular motion with the thumb of the other.
4. Try a tonic: Try a nerve tonic from your local health food store, or consult a licensed homeopath.
5. Say cheese: Smiling is a two-way mechanism. We smile when we're relaxed & happy, but smiling can also make us feel relaxed & happy.
6. 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.
7. Stop gritting your teeth: Stress tends to settle in certain parts of our bodies, the jaw being one of them.
   
8. Compose a mantra: Devise an affirmation -- a short, clear, positive statement that focuses on your coping abilities.
9. Check your chi: Chi is the vital life force that flows throughout the body. It regulates the body’s functions.
10. Be a fighter: At the first sign of stress, don’t complain: focus on being predictive, proactive & responsive, not just reactive.
11. Write it down: Writing provides perspective. Get your thoughts down on paper.
12. Count to 10: Before you say or do something you'll regret, step away from the stressor and collect yourself.
13. Switch to decaf: Wean yourself slowly, though, or you might get a caffeine-withdrawal headache. Work with the body, not against it.
    
14. Just say no: Trying to do everything is a one-way ticket to serious stress.One of the most important stress management tips.
    
15. Take a whiff: Oils of anise, basil, bay, chamomile, eucalyptus, lavender, peppermint, rose, and thyme are all soothing.
16. Create some friction and warmth. Then cup them over your closed eyes for 5 seconds & breathe.
17. Say yes to pressure & tapping: Acupressure & EFT Tapping stimulate your acupuncture points with fingers instead of needles.
    
18. Schedule worry time: Many low-grade stressors can be dealt with at a later time, when it's more convenient.
    
19. Shake it up: Stand or sit, stretch your arms out from your sides and shake your hands hard for 10 seconds & breathe deeply.
20. Munch some snacks: High-carbohydrate foods stimulate the release of serotonin, feel-good brain chemicals that help induce calm.
21. Boost your vitamin intake: Take a daily, high-quality, well-balanced supplement. Modern diets lack most needed vitamins.
22. Don’t forget minerals. There are dozens of important minerals needed by the body to operate the stress response system correctly.
23. You are what you eat/drink. Beware randomly formulated nutrients, such as the B-complex. Quality and completeness count.
    
24. Admit it: Pay attention to your personal stress signals to slow the buildup of negativity & anxiety. Everyone is different.
    
25. Space out: Stare out the window and find something natural that captures your imagination. Dreaming is good.
    
26. Try tea: Try the calming properties of Chamomile, Catnip, Passionflower, Skullcap or Kava Kava tea.
27. Take a walk: It forces you to breathe more deeply and improves circulation.
28. Soak it up: Nothing is more stress relieving than a hot bath. An excellent stress management tip for everyone.
    
29. Play a few bars: Music soothes the savage “stress” beast. Try some classical, jazz or the natural sounds of nature.
    
30. Fall for puppy love: Petting an animal for just a couple of minutes helps relieve stress. Get a dog.
31. Practice mindfulness: Heighten your awareness of the moment by focusing intently on an object. Mindfulness leads to relaxation.
32. Dial a friend: Sharing your troubles can give you perspective, help you feel cared for and relieve your burden.
33. Stretch it out. Stretching loosens muscles and encourages deep breathing. One of the best stress management tips of all.
    
34. Say a little prayer: Studies show that compared with those who profess no faith, religious & spiritual people are calmer & healthier.
35. Make plans to do for something nice: Looking forward to something provides calming perspective.
36. Goof off: It temporarily removes you from stressful situations. So many great stress management tips, not enough time to use them.
    
37. Straighten up: Slumping restricts breathing & reduces blood & oxygen flow to the brain.
38. Tiptoe through the tulips: Tending your garden helps get you out of your head & lets you commune with nature... very relaxing.
39. Put up a wall from time to time: Be clear about your limits, and stop trying to please everyone all the time.
40. 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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