If you’re feeling tense and anxious, you need to find a way to get the stress out of your body before it harms you physically and mentally. Failure to regularly decompress can result in headaches, fatigue, body aches, lack of patience, lower work productivity, and more. Worst case scenario, it can take your life via heart attack or stroke. So, in an effort to help you live a long and healthy life, here are seven ways to relieve the stress you feel both quickly and effectively:
Breathe. Take 10 to 12 deep breaths daily. You’ll know that they are deep enough if they actually make your belly rise and fall. This is one stress relief method that has instantaneous results. Try deep breathing exercises.
Exercise. Even though working out already offers a number of other benefits, lowering your tension levels is just one more. Not only is sweating your way through a hard work out a great way to get rid of your aggression, but it also releases endorphins that make you feel better in no time at all.
Talk It Out. Sometimes just verbalising the way you feel is enough to relieve the pressure. Talk to a trusted friend or family member share your worries a voice so that they can leave your body once and for all.
Brainstorm. If there is something plaguing you, ignoring it isn’t going to help. Instead, lower your stress levels by actively looking for a solution, which can be best accomplished by brainstorming and considering all of your options.
Have Fun. Give your mind a break from whatever is bothering you by doing something you enjoy. Go to the park and play with your kids, get engrossed in a good book – it doesn’t matter what you do, just do something fun!
Pamper Yourself. One effective way to feel better immediately is to treat yourself with kindness. Get a manicure, pedicure, massage, or any other service that makes you feel better.
Stay in the Present. Most stress comes from thinking about the past or worrying about the future. You can avoid both of these scenarios by simply living in the present and enjoying each event as it occurs.
Just because stress comes into your life doesn’t mean that you have to invite it to stay. Try one (or all) of these seven options and keep stress from taking up residence in your body – or your life.
