Stress is a part of life, whether it serves to motivate you or leads to health problems. If untreated, stress can lead to heart disease, high blood pressure and other health problems. Although you may not be able to control the stress you experience, you can take steps to relieve stress.
Performing Breathing Exercises
When you experience stress, your body reacts physically. Some people experience an increased heart rate, sweating, headaches, or shallow, quickened breathing. Breathing exercises can take the intensity out of a stressful situation to help you think more calmly and clearly. A simple breathing exercise includes inhaling slowly for five seconds through the nose and exhaling slowly for five seconds through the mouth. Focus your breathing on seeing your chest rise and fall versus seeing your stomach go in and out. This indicates your body is taking in more oxygen, which reduces the physical tension in your body.
Listening to Music
Listen to music during your morning commute to start the day with a calm disposition, or you can listen during lunch as a refresher for the afternoon. Soft styles such as classical or jazz are usually more conducive to office environments. If appropriate, use headphones to remove background noise, but be sure that you don't need to communicate with someone during that time.
Reciting Affirmations
Affirmations are simply positive statements that are designed to reduce negativity and refocus yourself in a positive manner. Stress increases during situations in which there appear to be no positive solutions. Saying something as simple as "I can get through this" or "I will find a solution" focuses your energy on overcoming a situation instead of feeling like a victim of it.
Exercising
Exercising is one of the healthiest stress relievers because it uses negative energy that could cause health problems and turns it into positive energy that helps condition your body. Endorphins are the chemicals in your brain that cause you to feel good. The Mayo Clinic indicates that exercise directly increases your endorphins. If you are in a stressful situation, take a brisk 10- to 15-minute walk to reduce tension.
