What do you do when you feel like the stress is building up?
When your mind is racing and you just don't know what to do with yourself, where can you turn?
Here are some tips that I have found useful on what to do when the stress builds up.
Now I cannot guarantee that they will completely alleviate stress in a situation completely, but they certainly help reduce its effects.
Well that is my experience anyway.
1. Breathe!
I recommend deep breathing.
I know, it sounds simple and stupid but many people don't breathe properly.
Proper breathing is very important for reducing stress.
The best thing about breathing exercises is that you can do them anywhere; they also cost nothing and take almost no time (just a little bit of your time).
Start by taking a long breath in through the nose and hold it for four seconds.
Then hold your breath for a count of four seconds followed by slowly breathing out through your mouth – again for a count of four.
Wait for four seconds before repeating the whole process for five times.
This should help relax both your mind and body.
2. Try some relaxation techniques
There are many different ways to reduce stress with relaxation techniques, some more effective than others, some more time-consuming than others, some more complex than others.
A few relaxation techniques are mindfulness, meditation yoga or tai chi, listening to music, taking a walk or playing with a pet.
3. Meditate
Meditation is great to do when you feel stress building because it lowers your heart rate and slows down your breathing.
This helps you to relax and destress.
To meditate, sit on a chair in a comfortable position with your back straight.
Relax your shoulders.
Close your eyes and focus on the darkness behind them as well as the feeling of air moving in and out of your nose or mouth.
4. Playing with a pet
Pet owners have lower levels of cortisol and say they feel more relaxed after petting their animals.
Dogs offer the most benefits to their owners when it comes to stress relief because they emit oxytocin (the cuddle hormone) and make people feel relaxed and safe.
5. Walking in nature
A walk-in nature is very good for you when you feel yourself getting stressed.
Trees, plants and flowing water enhance our well-being by giving off negative ions.
These health giving molecules help more oxygen get to the brain and boost happy hormones such as serotonin.
The best way to benefit from negative ions is during a heavy rain storm, especially after thunder.
Or a walk on a beach with the waves crashing on the shore.
6. List your accomplishments
It doesn't matter how minor or inconsequential they are.
Keep this list somewhere visible (like taped to your bathroom mirror) so that every morning when you wake up, you begin your day by reminding yourself of all you've been able to do.
7. Go exercise
This can be extremely effective.
The best part about exercising is that it can just as easily be done in the comfort of your own home – no gym required!
And it doesn’t have to be for ages – 10 or 15 minutes will do.
You now have several tactics you can use if you feel stress building. Which one will you choose?