Stress relief is becoming an important part of many people's lives. Work, family and school can take their toll on every family member. It is important for your family and your health to get your stress under control before it controls you. Learning some stress management techniques can, literally, save your life. Here are some quick fixes you can use to help with life's daily stresses.
Deep breathing exercises are a great stress management technique because they work on a mental and physical level. They are easy to learn and help your body feel like it does when already in a relaxed state. Often when we are stressed out, our breathing becomes shallow and the lack of oxygen can make you feel worse. Deep breathing brings in the needed oxygen while sending a signal to your brain to relax and calm down. As with anything, practicing this technique makes it even more powerful. And you can do it anywhere.
Pet your dog or cat. Research shows that pets can provide excellent stress relief along with other health benefits; perhaps more than people since they are non-judgmental. Read studies find that a pet can help reduce depression and help reduce blood pressure. One study showed that owning a pet reduced blood pressure more than pharmaceuticals in a group of hypertensive New York stockbrokers! Of course, if you don't like animals or are too busy to have a pet, then this stress relief technique is not for you.
Spend time with friends or family. If pets are not your thing, at least try to spend more time with loved ones. Talking to friends or family during a stressful time in your life can drastically help. You can let go of bottled up emotions or just laugh, which is another form of stress relief in itself. Allow yourself to relax and have fun with friends, talk to family or a close friend. Whether you talk about your stress and ask for help or if you just hang, relax and have fun, keep in mind that both can be beneficial.
Water therapy have always proven to be great stress relievers for many. The most thought of form is relaxing in a bath. But this is not for everyone. Some prefer showers; almost a symbolic as well as a physical way to wash away the stress of the day. Another form is floatation therapy, where anti gravity allows your body to relax all the muscles more deeply than lying on a surface. Of course, do not attempt this unless with the help of a professional and a floatation tank.
Taking a brisk walk outside can be an excellent form of stress relief. Walking allows to take your mind off your problems as you focus on your surroundings. It increases blood flow to the brain, which can stimulate the release of endorphins; nature's mood enhancing chemicals. You can walk when and where you feel like, without having to change clothes or drive to a gym. Of course other forms of exercise can help, too.
Exercise - if you do belong to a gym, try to put your cares aside for a while as you go take an aerobic class or play racquetball with a friend. Do yoga at home along with a yoga DVD to stretch and relax your muscles and clear your mind. It is a reality that regular exercise reduces stress on many levels. Be sure to not overdo it and injure yourself; even just moderate exercise can make a difference.
Stress relief is needed by almost all of us these days. Students are under pressure, job seekers are competing, parents are busy providing and some of us are just trying to pay our bills. No matter what, learning healthy stress relief techniques can make your quality of life much better.
Nutrition may also help with stress relief or find more help at How To Deal With Stress .com
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