Stress Relief Tips

Stress is unhealthy for your body and your mind. Your body
reacts to stress by releasing the stress hormone cortisol. This
hormone causes an increase in your blood pressure and your
blood sugar.

Stress can be managed by using the following techniques.

Diaphragmatic Breathing

While under stress you may begin to breathe rapidly and
shallowly. Diaphragmatic breathing allows you to breathe fully
and slowly releasing the tension that can cause stress.

To benefit from diaphragmatic breathing you must stop and
relax your body. Allow your breathing to become regular.
Inhale slowly and deeply, then exhale slowly through your
nose. Allow the tension to seep from your body with each
breath that you exhale. Close your eyes and imagine a place
of tranquility.

Breathe like this for several minutes, relaxing more and more
with each breath. You will begin to feel your stress go away.

Stress Free Retreat

Take a break from your stressful situation. Many times we can
not see the forest for the trees. You may have a situation that
you just can not seem to solve. The solution has eluded you
and your stress level is increasing.

There are many ways to take a quiet retreat. Find your quiet
place and retreat as often as is necessary. You may be
surprised to return to your problem and actually see how to
solve it.

The purpose of a retreat is to take your mind off of the
problem. Focus on something that will quiet your inner turmoil
and allow your body to relax.

Take a nice long walk and look at the surrounding scenery.
Find a comfortable spot and put on your favorite music or get
lost in a good book. Pamper yourself and soak in a nice hot
tub or go get a massage. Retreat ideas are endless. The
main purpose is to allow your mind to rest and be at peace.

Think Positive

Many times you may allow a stressful situation to take over and
pull you down a long path toward destruction. You have the
power to stop the downward spiral.

Realize what your inner thoughts are about the situation.
Sometimes you can get stressed just remembering an incident.

Allow yourself to think and speak positive over your stressful
situation. You will be amazed at how well you handle stress if
you will learn to speak affirmations over yourself and the
situation.

You can do this and you will overcome. Believe it.

Muscle Relaxation

Stress affects your body in many different ways. Muscle
tension causes your entire body to hurt. You may not realize
how stressed you are until you actually pay attention to your
muscle tension.

Is your neck always stiff? How are gripping the steering wheel
while you are driving? White knuckle driving is a stress
indicator. Headaches, backaches, leg cramps, the list can go
on.

Learn to relax your muscles one group at a time. Lie down,
totally relax, and close your eyes. Now focus on your muscle
groups. Tighten each group and then relax them. Start with
your toes and work all the way up to your forehead. You may
have to tighten and relax each muscle group three or four
times before the muscles actually relax.

Put some quiet music on while doing this so that your mind will
stay off of your stressful situation. Continue to relax your mind
while doing this exercise.

Meditate

Meditation is a whole body relaxation at once. Find a quiet
place and just let your body and mind relax totally. Breathe
slowly and deeply. Exhale slowly. Do this for at least 20
minutes. Remember, do not think about your stressful situation.

Your goal is to learn how to relax in stressful situations. You
may be able to incorporate some of these methods throughout
your day, while some of the other methods require a quiet
place of solitude. Take charge of your body and do not allow
stress to cause physical harm to you.