You have heard it all before. Stress is the #1 cause of health problems, relationship problems and basically most problems you may have. These problems in turn create even MORE stress. It can feel like you are in a never-ending downward spiral that can never be escaped.

So how can you reduce and eliminate your stress now? Here are 7 proven tips that will not only make you feel better NOW, but your future, stress-free, self with thank-you as well.

#1.  Sleep – Can you remember the last time you woke up from a great sleep? Waking up feeling refreshed and energized helps you start your day off the right way. Getting your 8 hours a night is important because that is when your body replenishes itself, getting rid of the bad (stress) from the day and replacing it with new fresh energy.

#2. Exercise – Getting your 30 minutes a day of physical activity is not only good for your waist, its good for your mind. By exercising, you release endorphins in your brain, putting you in a state of happiness!).  Daily exercise also helps with tip #1, helping you sleep better at night.

#3. Breathing – Breathing is something that seems second nature, but it is often something we forget to be mindful. Breathing gives your body oxegen, the source of energy and renewal for your body. When you are stressed, you take short, shallow breathes, depriving your body of this much needed source. Next time you find yourself in an overly stressful situation, take 10 deep mindful breathes, you will instantly feel better.

#4 Meditation – It has been proved that meditation leads you to a calm, more balanced life. Meditation is the conscious practice of relaxing your body and focusing on one thought for a substantial period of time. This takes you away from the stresses in your life and gives you a clear mind to handle them. You can head to your nearest meditation class or try an at home version, like the Silva Method.

#5 Stretching and Self Massage – The effects of stress show up on our body. Your muscles become tight and tense. Its important to help them to be relaxed and loose. Develop a routine of 10-20 minutes each morning, stretching and self massaging the parts of your body (most people carry their stress in their neck) that are tight and tense.

#6. Talking it out – Keeping your feelings bottled up inside you not only will make you more tense and stressed in the short term, but can lead to large explosion in the long term. If you can't share feelings with a friend or confidant, talk it out with yourself. Positive self talk keeps one focused on the brighter side and does not allow you to get weighted down by stress.

#7. Get rid of those Bad Habits – We all have certain bad habits we can never seem to clear, namely for most people that includes smoking and drinking. We all know these bad habits rob our body of the energy we need to deal with the stress in our lives. These habits are a source of stress for many people, not just a by-product. To change bad habits, its imperative to take a strong approach. Many people have found success doing things like yoga, hypno-therapy, the Silva Method or the Sedona Method they have been able to take control of the bad habits in their lives.

Implementing these techniques will help you deal with all the stress in your life. There is no way we can avoid stress in our lives, but we can learn to deal with it in a positive way. Its important to take positive action towards stress now, so we can feel better not only now, but for the rest of our lives.

 

 

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