Stress has become so ingrained in our society that it seems almost everyone is trying to cope with it. At times it seems
as if everything is going so fast and schedules are packed too tightly.
Add this to the every day stresses of kids, aging parent, financial issues and the stress seems to
keep building.
The good news is that there are quite
a few strategies available to help you cope with stress and its inevitable effects.
Here you will learn about several so that you can learn to keep stress
at bay and live a healthier and happier life.
Meditate
By now, you've probably heard of meditation and it's benefits for stress reduction.
With that said, there are several different types of meditation and you can choose
which one suits you best.
Visualization meditation is a method of meditation where you focus on imagery
to get to a relaxed state of mind. For example, you might start by imagining a place
that is comforting and serene, such as a beach, or a sunset. Alternatively, you could imagine a warm, comforting light that envelops your entire body.
As you breathe in, the goodness and peace comes into your body.
Any stress or negativity should be gotten rid of on your exhalation.
Keep doing this for a few minutes, relaxing your body continually
and you will certainly decrease your stress level.
Yoga
Yoga is hugely popular because of its beneficial mind/body effects.
While doing deep stretches and yoga positions, you will be spending time
mentally connecting to every part of your body. Becoming more aware of where
you are feeling stress, you can learn to relax those parts through yoga.
Regular practice of yoga will maximize your ability to know your body and over
time it will become much easier to fend off daily stress in your life.
Breathe Deeply
While it may seem too simplistic, just breathing deeply can help rid your body
of excess stress. The next time you catch yourself in a challenging situation
where you feel stress or anxiety, take at least 5 slow deep breaths.
The extra oxygen will help you to clear your mind and your entire body
will be able to relax a bit. Breathe deeply for a minute or two if you are feeling
really stressed out.
Be Present
It's all too easy to focus on the past or even on future events, but staying
with the present moment will help you with your stress levels.
If you can focus on the present moment, you will be more able to respond
to what is happening and to dispel some of the worry that comes with thinking about things that have passed or haven't yet materialized. Being present is calming,
even if you are in a stressful situation.
Reach Out
Humans seek out connection with others and need social interaction.
If you are feeling a bit anxious, you can call a friend or family member who
is supportive and comforting. It's always good to build up your social network,
as people with a good supportive network have an easier time coping
with stress in general.
Listen To Music
Music has universal appeal and can absolutely help to calm you down and relax.
The next time you are feeling agitated or anxious, put on some soothing music
and just close your eyes for a few minutes. Allow the music to take you away from
what is bothering you at the moment. Even a few minutes each day can go a long
way to helping you feel better.
No matter what strategy you try, it's important for your health and well-being to try and reduce the stress in your life. Any of these can help you, but go with those that
fit in with your lifestyle and work well for you.