10 Easy Activities to Reduce Stress
Stress happens to all of us. It sneaks up when we least expect
it, disguising itself as tense muscles, headaches, agitation and
quick temperedness. The good news however, is that there are 10
easy activities that you can do that will reduce your stress.
Make a mental note of these, or even list them on post-it notes
to hang up in conspicuous places as reminders. 1. Stop. Whatever activity you are engaged in, stop and quiet
your mind.
2. Breathe. Focus your attention on your breath, slowing it to a
regular pattern.
3. Allow. Allow your muscles a moment to relax as you focus on
your breath. As you inhale, consciously breathe into the stress
in the muscles and relaxing them as you exhale. Take deep breaths
and release.
4. Listen. Quiet your mind by listening to your breath as you
inhale and exhale. Listen to your body telling you that stress is
taking place.
5. Rest. Give yourself permission to rest your body and your
mind. Many times our stress is from mental fatigue, not just
physical tiredness. Take a 10 minute power nap if you have the
opportunity, or simply close your eyes and repeat the phrase over
and over in your mind, “I am quiet, peaceful and relaxed. It is
safe for me to rest now.”
6. Exercise. Go for a walk, a jog or a swim. Exercising releases
endorphins in your brain which will preoccupy your mind. This is
a wonderful way to physically release built up tensions that have
been held in your physical body.
7. Be present in the now moment. When you recycle the same
thoughts, keep a mental ‘to do’ list, or worry about something
that is already over, then your mind is elsewhere. You are not
fully present in the moment, and neither is your mind. Being
focused elsewhere or living in the past and ruminating can be
extremely tiring and stressful. Consistently recall yourself back
to the present moment.
8. Call a friend. Talking can be a great stress reliever. The
simple action of being heard by someone who cares about you can
make everything feel better. You’ve released the tension and
you’ve been heard. You’ll find that your body automatically
begins to relax and release the tensions. You may yawn often
during the conversation. Yawning is a form of releasing physical
tension as well as the body’s way of taking in more oxygen to
nourish the tense muscles.
9. Have a massage. Physical touch releases tensions and stress
from the physical body as well as relaxing your thoughts and
emotions. You may want to schedule ongoing massage therapy
sessions as part of your regular routine. People that receive
massage on a regular basis experience less stress because they
aren’t storing the tensions for long periods of time without
relief.
10. Seek counseling. Asking for assistance, either through
traditional or intuitive/spiritual counseling is not a signal of
weakness. In fact it’s the opposite. It is a show of strength
from within to ask for help. It reflects your willingness to deal
with your stress and manage your life in a new, healthy way. A
counselor can help you maintain a healthy balance during times of
stress, extreme tension, difficulty or transition. Above all, remember that you are doing your best to reduce the
stress in your life. You have the inherent right to be happy,
healthy and thriving. Stress does not need to be an assumed part
of your lifestyle. You can choose to ignore stress and live with
it, or to take action and do something about it. It’s up to you.
Give yourself the gift of relaxation. You deserve it! © 2005 Jodie Foster
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