10 Easy to Follow Stress-busting tips

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There are many things you can do right now to bust stress. Stress can cause a multitude of health and emotional problems if not dealt with. You need to put into place ways of reducing stress over the long term.
 
Here are 10 easy to follow stress-busting tips to help you do that.
 
“Don’t underestimate the value of Doing Nothing, of just going along, listening to all the things you can’t hear, and not bothering.” – Winnie the Pooh
 
 

1. Take care of your body. Find time to exercise and eat healthy meals and snacks. Exercise does wonders for reviving a stressed body. Get moving to work out those tense muscles and lift your mood. When we exercise our body releases endorphins that release tension and lift our spirits. And while you're exercising, you get the added benefit of you time to meditate.

 

1. Learn how to eat a healthy diet. Protein, veggies and fruits, and whole grains are the starting points to a healthy diet. Try peanut butter and banana sandwiches, chicken or tuna salad on lettuce leaves or whole grain bread. Bring a few cut up veggies or fruit slices to your desk while you work or to the park with the kids.

 

1. Take care of your emotions. Express yourself, don't bottle up what's bugging you. Call a friend when you’re feeling stressed or need to get something off your chest. They’re good listeners and won't judge you. A good friend will let you vent and complain until your back to your old self. Be prepared to hear their point of view as well.

 

1. Try to find time daily to relieve tension by meditating. Set aside five or 10 minutes every morning before you start your day to reflect on what's really important. Choose actions that suit your needs and lifestyle. Don't try something that feels uncomfortable for you if that causes you more stress.

 

1. At least every couple of hours get up from your computer or walk away from your stress for a few minutes. If you set aside 5 minutes every couple of hours to relax, you will have more than 15 minutes of calmness in your day. Make it a habit to take action daily to reduce your stress. Remember, for habits to work you need to practice them for at least 30 days.

 

1. Breathe deep for one minute when things seem out of control. Close your eyes, roll your shoulders and take several deep breaths. Rest your hands on your stomach, slowly count to four and inhale through your nose, feeling your stomach rise. Hold for a count of two. Slowly count to four while you exhale through your mouth. To control how fast you exhale, pretend you are going to whistle. Your stomach should fall with each exhale. Repeat five to 10 times.

 

1. Laugh as much as possible. Laughter releases tension and relaxes our muscles. Can’t find anything humorous in your situation? Try to remember something your kid told you that made you laugh or a funny movie your watched. Keep a small notebook handy with funny jokes. Call a friend for a good laugh. Laugh at yourself when you make a mistake or do something clumsy.

 

1. Relax. Take off your shoes and wiggle your toes. Meditate for one minute. Close your eyes and count to a million. When you relax your mind calms and your body releases the tensions from those pesky things that worry you throughout the day.

 

1. Be grateful. Count your blessings and ask for grace to get through the day. Feel gratitude for what you have and for the stress in your life. After all, if you didn’t have stress, you aren’t living.

 

1. Smile. You'll be surprised by how just changing your expression can change your whole attitude. A smile helps you change your attitude, giving you a positive outlook. This leaves you calmer and better able to deal with life's little annoyances. Negativity only brings you more negative actions.

 
 
Creating an atmosphere of calm and relaxation helps you beat stress easier since you’re starting with a positive and unruffled attitude. Revert to these steps whenever you feel your stress is getting to be too much.
 
There are many ways you can reduce and manage stress without adding more stress to your already hectic day. Take a good look at your days and everything in your life. Figure out what you can get rid of, whether its physical, situations, obligations or people that cause you stress.