Although stress and anxiety are a normal part of life, it is dysfunctional and counterproductive to allow stress and anxiety to affect functioning to the point where it has an effect on health and mental well-being. According to the Mayo Clinic, prolonged exposure to stress and anxiety can cause serious health problems, including high blood pressure, headache, back pain, anger, depression and feelings of sadness. Reducing levels of stress and anxiety can help people to feel better physically and psychologically, and improve functioning in both their professional and personal lives.
Meditation
Meditation is a proven stress and anxiety reliever. The Mayo Clinic's article "Meditation: Take a Stress Reduction Break Wherever You Are," states that meditation may cause a decrease in anxiety by focusing on self-awareness, reducing negative emotions and placing focus on the present. Regular meditation provides proven medical benefits, such as lowered blood pressure and a decrease in levels of stress, depression and anxiety. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine reports that meditation can be a helpful way of dealing with mental and physical distress and certain health conditions. Meditation can be learned by taking a class or following a guided meditation practice CD or DVD at home.
Yoga
Doing a mind-body oriented form of exercise such as yoga on a daily basis can decrease levels of anxiety and stress. Yoga provides a multi-faceted approach to developing consciousness on a mind-body-spirit level, through combining yoga poses and stretches with breath awareness. Yoga can also lower stress levels. The Mayo Clinic explains that regular yoga practice can help people deal with stress by giving them an opportunity to escape from daily chaos and time to refocus their energies. Yoga can also aid in managing conditions such as depression, anxiety and insomnia by helping with sleep problems, fatigue and mood.
Alone Time
Taking a personal or vacation day can help people rest and re-energize, leaving them feeling less stressed and anxious, according to the Mayo Clinic. Having time alone is an important component of stress and anxiety relief. For those with a very hectic or stressful life, having even just 30 minutes a day alone to relax and unwind can allow them the personal time they need to recuperate.
