Stress diminishes your quality of life. When you are stressed you are unable to enjoy the positivity in your life. Stress can cause physical illness if left untreated. MentalHealth.com reports that probably 70% of visits to family doctors a year are for ailments caused by underlying stress. According to Dr. David B. Posen, internal stress is the most common type of stress. Internal stress is self-inflicted, and you can relieve stress yourself with homemade stress relievers.
Step 1
Exercise at least three times a week. Regular exercise helps to relieve stress by giving excess energy a way to exit the body. Aerobic exercises such as swimming, jogging, walking, bicycling or aerobics classes are popular methods to release stress.
Step 2
Decrease the amount of caffeine you consume. Caffeine is a stimulant that causes a stress reaction in the body. You can relieve some of the stress in your life by reducing the caffeine in your body. If you intake caffeine daily, do not quit suddenly because withdrawal headaches can occur. Drink one less caffeinated drink daily to gradually eliminate as much caffeine from your life as possible.
Step 3
Go to sleep 30 minutes earlier than usual. Sleep is one of the best homemade stress relievers because it allows the body to recuperate from dealing with stressful situations. Getting more sleep will give you more energy to deal with stressful situations without becoming stressed. Although naps are a good way to quickly relieve stress, MentalHealth.com recommends that you do not nap more than 30 minutes at a time.
Step 4
Think positively. According to the Mayo Clinic, positive thinking helps with stress management. Positive thinking relieves stress by allowing you to see issues in a more productive and positive way. Immediately dismiss negative thoughts when they enter your mind. Negativity breeds stress.
Step 5
Meditate once a day. Take time out of your day to be alone in a peaceful environment. Use this time to think of the good things in your life. Do not allow any stressful thoughts during your meditation time. Meditation relieves stress by allowing you to clear your mind of negativity and emerge with a fresh outlook.
