7 Easy Ways To Reduce Stress |
Posted: September 20, 2012 |
With all the goings on in the world today, we’ve become stress magnets. While there are good and bad forms of stress, we need to learn how to cope with those which are not healthy for our bodies. I recently read an article in Good Housekeeping which revealed “15 easy ways to de-stress this year, not matter where you are.” Here are 7 of my favorites from that article. I’d love to hear which of these you enjoy doing and help you most. 1. Office Mini Massage Take the sting out of a stressful afternoon with this 30-second massage. Rest your elbows on your desk and place your thumbs under your eyebrows on either side of the bridge of your nose. Let the weight of your head rest on your thumbs for 10 seconds. Then pinch your eyebrows with your thumbs and index fingers. Hold for 1 second, then move your fingers a half-inch out. Repeat until you’ve covered the whole brow. 2. Take a Mental Vacation When you need to deflate stress, treat yourself to a vacation that’s all in your head: Close your eyes and imagine a relaxing place, such as a beach, a mountain view, or a cozy room. Notice everything you can about your spot. What can you see and smell? The more vivid a picture you paint in your mind, the more your body will respond to the invitation to relax. 3. Celebrate the Small Stuff Take a moment to appreciate the many things you have to be grateful for. Make it real by writing down your list — the hot coffee you had with breakfast, the way your husband makes you laugh, the blue sky — nothing is too small or too big. Whatever we focus on magnifies; but by choosing to highlight the positive you'll only invite more of it to grow. 4. Breathe Deeply Breathe more mindfully. Try taking a full breath now — inhale deeply into your belly, then allow every last drop of air to release on the exhale. This simple action blocks the stress response and cues your body to relax, making you less likely to get riled and more able to think clearly. Breathe deeply before you respond to anything life throws your way, and notice how it changes your reactions. 5. Walking Meditation Some days are like the conveyor belt in the I Love Lucy candy factory episode — relentless. Turn down the speed on your life with walking meditation. For 20 paces, walk as slowly as you can, feeling every inch of your feet as they move, hearing your breath flow through your lungs, and noticing all the smells and sounds around you. This simple practice helps you remember that every step we take is a little miracle. 6. Bless Their Hearts Notice your temper flaring? Next time an aggressive driver cuts you off, or a co-worker sends a snippy e-mail, or you trip over your teenager's skateboard, try saying this small phrase: Bless their heart. It's a short and simple reminder that the person you're angry with is human and could probably stand a little forgiveness. It also benefits you by deflating your anger and boosting your compassion. Not bad for three little words, huh? 7. Spend Time with Someone Great Of all the things you do in a day, how many of them do you actually enjoy? Treat yourself to some time with someone you admire whose company makes you feel great. We all need real-life role models; spending time with yours can help you remember what's most important to you. If you can't see each other face to face, talk on the phone or write an old-fashioned letter.
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