Some of the most common ways to reduce stress include:
- Meditation – A few minutes of practice a day can reduce stress. Sit up straight with both feet on the floor. Close your eyes. Focus your attention on your breathing. With one hand on your belly, slowly inhale through your nose, feeling the breath start in your abdomen and work its way to the top of your head. Reverse the process as you exhale through your mouth.
- Listen to Music
- Laugh it off – Find ways to relieve stress with humor.
- Reach Out – 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.
- Tune In to Your Body – Mentally scan your body to get a sense of how stress affects it each day. Lie on your back, or sit with your feet on the floor. Start at your toes and work your way up to your scalp, noticing how your body feels.
- Physical Exercise – Exercise is a proven way to reduce stress.
- Decompress – Place a warm heat wrap around your neck and shoulders for 10 minutes. Close your eyes and relax your face, neck, upper chest, and back muscles. Remove the wrap, and use a tennis ball or foam roller to massage away tension.
Further Reading:
Improve Your Health with a Stress Management Plan
How can a mental stress test benefit your health?
Try These 5 Tips to Relieve Stress
Discover How Mental & Emotional Stress Impacts the Body and How to Balance It