5 Simple steps to reduce Stress
There are numerous steps that can be taken to reduce the risk of being affected by stress and many of them are a matter of simple common sense. This page contains some simple steps that you can take to help minimise or avoid stress.
The page continues to suggest some techniques to help you relax, medical, complementary and self-help methods designed to alleviate the negative symptoms that stress can cause. If you are worried about your stress levels or are struggling to manage or avoid stress then it is important that you speak to your doctor or other health-care provider.
1. Meditate
The hectic pace and demands of modern life, many people feel stressed and over-worked. It often feels like there is just not enough time in the day to get everything done. Our stress and tiredness make us unhappy, impatient and frustrated. It can even affect our health. We are often so busy we feel there is no time to stop and meditate! But meditation actually gives you more time by making your mind calmer and more focused. A simple ten or fifteen minute breathing meditation as explained below can help you to overcome your stress and find some inner peace and balance.
2. Breathe Deeply
Whether you are currently exercising or not, think about how your routine could be enriched by paying more attention to your breath. Mindful exercise that synchronizes movement and breath has the power to change more than how you look.
Learning Basic Belly Breathing
Using Deep Breathing to Calm Down
Trying an Energizing Breathing Technique
3. Be Present
We’ve all had times like this: Our kid comes up to us, asks a question. We’re not paying attention, but out of parental guilt and/or irritation we say, “Yes,” not having a clue what we just agreed to. Next minute we look outside and see him running butt-naked through the sprinkler.Or, maybe that’s just my experience, but you get the point. We have moments throughout our day when our minds are not focused on the important stuff, like our families.
4. Reach Out
Your social network is one of your best tools for handling stress. Talk to others — preferably face to face, or at least on the phone. Share what’s going on. You can get a fresh perspective while keeping your connection strong.
5. Tune In to Your Body
Your body is speaking to you all the time. Your body is your interface, that thing that connects your inner world – your thoughts, feelings, emotions – with the outer world. Your body can be an amazing tool to help guide your choices. Your body can also tell you what is best for your health, and what is not. Learning to communicate with your body can be one of the most effective tools for your health and your happiness. The longer you go on ignoring the signals of your body, the quieter they become until you end of feeling that your body does not communicate with you at all. These steps are meant to help you start to bridge the gap that may exist between your mind and your body.
