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Eight Proven Stress Relief Methods

By Operation-Meditation

Stress is all around us. It comes in many different forms, and can sneak up on us out of nowhere. While some situations are naturally more stressful than others, anything can be stressful if we allow it to be. Feeling stressed will inhibit productivity, make you anxious, and can be damaging to your physical health as well. The good news is that we can all win the daily battle against stress. The following eight methods for stress relief are a great place to start.

– Musical Relief. Listening to music that you enjoy puts your brain in a good place and can be very relaxing. And in the digital age, there is no reason you can’t have your favorite tunes available to you just about any time. Take some time out of each day to listen to music and take the edge off of your stresses.

– Be Prepared. A major cause of stress is the feeling of things being out of control. Get your life in good order by planning ahead, gaining balance in your schedule, and not getting caught off guard. The peace found in preparation is great for de-stressing your mood.

– Turn It Off. Constant mental stimulation is a common cause of feeling stressed – and it is also a staple of modern society. By shutting off your cell phone, television, and computer for a little while, you can let yourself truly relax. Even a busy person can carve out a half hour where all the devices are powered down.

– In Your Hands. It is naturally to worry in life, and to tell you not to ever worry would be unrealistic. However, you can strive to limit what you worry about, and in turn what stresses you. Make a conscious effort to only let yourself worry about things that are directly in your control. Some of the best relief from stress can come from letting go of things you aren’t in control of.

– Let It Out. Find a good friend or family member to share your stress with. They will be supportive, and might surprise you will ideas for handling that stress that you had not thought of. Internalizing stress will only compound it in your mind – confide in someone else to relieve the pressure.

– Don’t Skip the Gym. If you are stressed, don’t cut your workout routine to save time. The benefits gained from consistent exercise – both physical and mental – are more than worth the time invested. You will be creating natural, stress fighting chemicals within your body, and improving the way you look and feel about yourself.

– Lighten Up. You know what they say about life – no one gets out alive. Often people who are super-stressed are the ones taking themselves a little too seriously. It is fine to be focused about your career, but try to find a healthy balance. Smile more, joke around with friends or co-workers, and generally just relax a little bit. Whatever you are stressed about will look a lot less intimidating with a more light-hearted attitude.

– Meditate. Many of the problems that generate stress can be solved through meditation. As we have discussed, stress often comes from feeling overwhelmed and out of control. Meditating is a great way to recapture that feeling of control from within yourself. Commit a little bit of your time each day to spend in quiet meditation. This is valuable time for your brain to ‘re-wire’ itself and get back to its proper working order. Suddenly all of your real-world pressures and stresses seem to shrink down and you feel in control again. As a stress relief method, meditation is highly valuable, easy to do, and can be done in just a few minutes.

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