Stress. We all deal with it. Whether it be our jobs, family life, drama with friends, a relationship problem, or finances, stress is there. While a little stress is probably good for you, it's the excess that does the harm. But there are ways of relieving it or distressing.

Steps

Quick Relief

1. 
   
   • Breathe
   • Smile :)
   • Visualize
   • Exercise
   • Organize

Stress Relief Methods

1. Stop swallow breathing. Take a deep breath, as an immediate defense against stress. If you can get in the habit of realizing your stress level rising -- and then always taking a nice, deep breath every time you feel stress beginning to take hold, you'll have won half the battle just by preventing it from taking over. Don't just sigh; that is too often a sign of quitting or shirking a task.
   
   
   
2. Create the habit of deep breaths: Why -- if you can get in the automatic reaction/habit of pausing and taking nice, deep breaths every time you feel stress beginning to take hold, you'll have won half the battle just by preventing stress from taking over.
   
   
   
3. Visualize and communicate your vision. Whether you talk to a friend or talk to yourself, getting concerns off your mind will help a lot. If you don't feel like talking about it, write it down. Keep a journal and write down whatever it is that's bothering you. Writing is a therapy of its own.
   
   
   
4. Laugh. Rediscover your sense of humor by making fun of your situation and allowing others to laugh without anger or disputing. View it from your future self's perspective, telling this story to a bunch of your friends over pizza and soda. Laughter, whether it's yours or someone else's, is the best medicine--and it's contagious!
   
   
   
   • Crack some jokes.
   • Do your goofiest impression.
   • Tickle a child that you love.
5. Get fit. Perhaps your health and appearance are stressing you out, but even if they're not an issue, being physically fit can directly help relieve stress, which exists on both a mental and a physical level. Sometimes there's nothing like a long run, an intense yoga session, or a fresh swim after a stressful day to help you feel relaxed and stress-free again. Also, exercise releases endorphins; a feel good hormone. Chocolate releases endorphins as well (just only in moderation)!
   
   
   
6. Be organized. For the most part, stress arises from feeling overwhelmed. Use a planner to keep track of your "TO DO'S".There's just too much to do, and not enough time to do it. Being organized and getting your priorities straight can help you break responsibilities down into manageable pieces and focus on the things that really matter to you, rather than getting caught up in details and creating extra work for yourself--all of which leads to more stress.
   
   
   
7. Soothe the senses. Light a scented candle that has a calming fragrance like lavender. Listen to your favorite, most relaxing music or, better yet, go somewhere that you can listen to wind rustle through trees or waves crash on the beach. Enjoy the scenery, whether you're outdoors or viewing an art exhibit. Drink some warm tea or taste--really taste--some dark chocolate. Treat yourself by getting a massage or, if you want to be alone, take a bath (bubbles are recommended).
   
   
   
8. Be aware of your choices; you always have a choice.
   
   
   
9. Learn to say no; you cannot do everything you are asked.
   
   
   
10. Learn how to delegate.
    
    
    
11. Be thankful. It does wonders for your state of mind.
    
    
    
12. If you need to apologize to someone, and it will not make the situation worse, find a way to do so. More importantly, learn to forgive, particularly to forgive yourself. Guilt adds pain to stress.
    
    
    
13. Do nothing. That's right, folks, do nothing at all. Close the door, open the window, have a seat, and take a little break from life. If your mind is racing, learn to meditate and just let that stress go.
    
    
    
14. Listen to music. Listening to music does wonders and is a great way to relieve stress, if it is not something that will make you feel worse. Listen to good songs that get you in a happy mood; and just forget about your problem. Music is known to be a significant mood-changer and reliever of stress. Ocean sounds tend to simulate calmness and serenity so, listening to a sound machine while lying down could help.
    
    
    
15. Get a drink of water. If you're dehydrated that can lead to headaches, which just adds to the stress. So relax and get a cup of water.
    
    
    
    
    

    
    

Tips

• Note that not all stress reducing activities will work for all people. Experiment with different techniques to see what works for you.
• Imagery meditation. Meditating, concentrating or just emptying your mind while viewing tranquil scenery, either real or in video clips can help your mind let go of anxiety filled thoughts.
• Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT)
• Self hypnosis
• Indian head massage
• Walk in the rain
• Dance to relieve stress
• Relieving stress in the short term is a good idea, but resolving the underlying causes of stress is even better. If the same issues keep driving you up the wall time and time again, give some serious thought as to how they can be dealt with permanently. The following two examples illustrate the variety and usefulness of the self-help information which is available.
• Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) teaches that it is not what happens to you, but what you believe about what happens to you that makes you stressed and depressed. (Ellis, 1975). You can do a lot to get rid of these feelings on your own by finding the irrational ideas which produce them, and debating with yourself until you have cast them out. Here is Ellis's list of potential culprits:
  
  
  • I must be perfect in all respects in order to be worthwhile.
  • I must be loved and approved of by everyone who is important to me.
  • When people treat me unfairly, it is because they are bad people.
  • It is terrible when I am seriously frustrated, treated badly, or rejected.
  • Misery comes from outside forces which I can't do very much to change.
  • If something is dangerous or fearful, I have to worry about it.
  • It is not easier to avoid life's difficulties and responsibilities,than to face them.
  • Because things in my past controlled my life, they have to keep doing so now and in the future.
  • It is terrible when things do not work out exactly as I want them to.
  • I can be as happy as possible by just doing nothing and enjoying myself, taking life as it comes.
• In addition to getting rid of negative beliefs, it is necessary to acquire a set of positive ones, such as the following widely quoted Desiderata, written by Max Ehrmann in the 1920s:
  
  
  • Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.
  • As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak truths/ideals quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit.
  • If you compare yourself with others,you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements and learn from your mistakes. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
  • Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.
  • Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. .
  • Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
  • Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of God And whether or not it is clear to you, His plan is unfolding as it should.
  • Therefore be at peace with God . And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. .
  • Sometimes it helps to take a moment alone and have some peace and quiet, but in some cases it can make you feel worse. Talk to someone you know and trust. Voice how you feel and listen to somebody's suggestions.

Warnings

• Be wary of escapism. Do not alleviate stress by doing something that'll only make it worse in the long run (e.g. buying a new pair of expensive shoes when what's stressing you is debt or taking someones problems into your own "hands." ).
• Don't just suffer in silence.
  
  
  • Just as you would not hesitate to contact a physician for ongoing physical pain, you should not hesitate to contact a therapist for continuing mental pain.
    
  • A therapist is a professional problem solver, who can bring to bear all the insights of psychology to point out choices that you are not aware of.
  • Your physician may be able to prescribe medication to control anxiety and depression, or to help you to handle a particularly stressful situation.
  • Symptoms such as hearing voices that are not there, seeing things that are not there, or staying awake for several nights in a row, are signs of serious mental illness which require immediate psychiatric attention.
• Do not make exercising and getting thin an addiction. This may add to your stress.
• If you are feeling suicidal or feel like you might hurt yourself, get help immediately!
  
  
  • Call your local suicide prevention hotline, or the psychiatric hotline of a hospital in your area.
  • If you do not know where to call, your local police department will be able to provide you with assistance.