Diverting your stressed mind to a light and enjoyable activity is an efficacious stress relieving technique. This modus operandi tries to dilute stress producing thoughts. Read a few jokes and laugh out aloud. This will dissipate stress fast enough. Go out of the building into a concourse. Fresh air is also great stress reliever.

Drinking water drops stress levels as water promotes better functioning of the brain and all other organs of the body. Drinking colas, juices or sodas is not adequate- you need to hydrate yourself with ordinary water-the elixir of life. Drinking herbal tea which has healing properties can also effectively soothe your nerves and alleviate stress.

Take a siesta for 15-30 minutes when you feel stressed out. A short snooze is extremely revitalizing and revivifying. Such a nap frees the brain from the shackles of stress thoughts and negative feelings. In fact incorporating a catnap in your daily routine can save you from stress in the long run.

Taking a brisk walk round the block can also do the trick of de-stressing you. You could also jog in a local park or go cycling. Physical exercise is a valuable stress management technique as it improves blood circulation and releases useful chemicals in the brain and body like beta-endorphin; exercise relaxes and heats up cold tense muscles that feature during stress. By including a regular workout routine in your daily life you can build a fit body that will be less vulnerable to stress.

When you feel the pressure of stress you should practice some deep breathing. Breathe in to the count of 7 and breathe out to the count of 11 until your heart beat slows down and you feel more relaxed. Practicing yoga and meditation techniques everyday helps attaining a sound corporal, mental and spiritual health; it makes you less susceptible to stress.

Being aware of your stress triggers helps you utilize these stress management technique to counter stress before it topples you over. By accepting stress as a fact of life, you can also use stress productively to uplift your performances when it matters the most.

There is no escape from stress. We encounter events daily that trigger the body’s ‘fight or flight response’. This response leads to an adrenaline rush. But stress is not all negative:

The Positives of Stress

Stress acts a stimulant making us think and act. Complete absence of stress would make it impossible to react to situations on time. Stress serves as a messenger and helps us combat negative stimuli.

All new and strange events trigger the stress response in our body to some extent. This is beyond our control. But our reactions to stressful events and our outlook toward them is what determines the levels of stress. Turn stress into a challenging event that needs to be fought by:

1. Understanding stress
2. Learning stress management strategies
3. Developing a positive attitude

Identify Stressors

The primary element in stress management is identification of the stressors. Know whether the stressors in your life are external or internal. External factors include workplace, environment, and relationships. Internal factors include emotional health, sleep, and quality of food. Self-assessment techniques are the best way to identify your stressors.

Effective Use of Stress Management Strategies

Elimination of stressors is an ideal situation. For example, if you are allergic to an external factor, you would get rid of it. But in most cases elimination of the stressful event is impossible. The least you can do is manage stress effectively through proven techniques.

If situations are your primary stressful events, instant stress management techniques that you can use at all place should come handy. To start with, try stress management techniques such as breathing exercises or positive imagery. Experiment by using enchanting ‘mantras’ and motivational quotes or statements.

If environmental factors trigger your stress response, make modifications to your lifestyle. Regardless of the source of stress, effective stress management is possible by making little changes gradually.

View Stress as Motivational

Our outlook toward life decides the effects of stress. Moving to a new house, for example, can be very stressful. The levels of stress that this incident can cause will depend on your perception and outlook toward that situation. Do you view it as a challenge or threat?

Make stressful events motivational by developing a positive outlook toward them. Engaging in pep talk is an effective tool. Stress serves as a stimulant for us to take action, and therefore, view it as motivational.

Recharge your Inner Self

The symptoms of stress worsen if you are fatigued or tired. Thus, stress and allergies follow a similar pattern. Tackle the harmful effects of stress by engaging in activities that replenish your energy such as walking, playing with your kids, or having a steam bath. Some of the symptoms of stress can be reduced through a balanced diet and adequate sleep. This will ensure that you are at your optimal best physically.

Stress management should be an indispensable part of your life, regardless of whether the stress levels in your life are high or low. If situations get out of control it leads to chronic stress. This can have adverse impacts on your life:

• Decrease in the power of immunity
  Stress in the long run can affect your immune system and can make you vulnerable to common cold and other types of influenza.
• Problems in relationships
  Stress can lead to irritability. The time that we can make available for our loved ones also drastically reduces. Stress can have an adverse impact on the libido as well.
• Sleep disorders
  Stress has a direct impact on sleep, which can lead to sleep disorders. Falling asleep becomes a problem and so does staying asleep. In worse cases, individuals might just not have the time to take a good nap.
• Weak coping strategies
  Tobacco, alcohol, and other harmful habits are often used to tackle stress, which will only aggravate it.
• Serious health concerns
  Stress has a direct link with type 2 diabetes, heart ailments, high blood pressure, and other serious health conditions.

A certain amount of stress is healthy. Yes, it’s true! Stress is a natural biological mechanism and it serves as a warning. Therefore, do not be under the notion that complete elimination of stress is possible. Hence stress is a vital tool that nature has built for staying alive. The important thing to keep in mind is that you must control stress and not the other way around. When stress gets out of control problems arise. The three points mentioned below can help you manage stress effectively:

• Instant stress elimination
  There are days when everything goes against you. And you find yourself running helter-skelter. In such times, all you need are a few instant stress management techniques. One of the simplest are breathing techniques. Control over the breathing can help you relax. And what’s more? You can practice these techniques anytime and anywhere.
• Regular stress relief procedures
  One regular procedure to combat stress is essential and will always come handy. Yoga is one such technique that can rejuvenate you at any time during the day. Yoga in the form of meditation will make you immune to stress in the long run.
• Anchor stress levels to manageable levels
  Stressful events or stressors will exhaust the body’s resources and energy levels. The best way is to keep them at bay. People should never get the better out of you and demand your precious time. Therefore, learn to say NO.

While you fine tune your stress management procedure, how about adding the morning walk and any hobby of yours, such as reading, to it. It should do wonders. Also, altering your work and home environment should help you deal with work stress and parenting stress, respectively. However, to walk that entire mile of stress elimination and healthy lifestyle you would have to start with a single step. All the best! (and don’t forget that beautiful smile!)