Stress Reduction Tips

Although the best stress relaxation techniques help you prevent stress from getting the best of you in the first place,, we all face those times when we get caught up or life takes us by surprise. Before you know it you realize you're tense and "stressing out".

When that happens, put one or more of these stress reduction techniques into practice. Notice that most stress remedies take place "between your ears". Stress is an inside job.

21 Stress Relaxation Techniques and Tips

For example: Before giving a presentation or having a talk with someone, practice out-loud. If you are getting ready for an event, plan it out and do what you can on a schedule in advance. Ask for help. Just say "No" to things that really don't need doing or saying. Delegate when possible.

2. Ask yourself, "what can I be grateful for in this situation? In my life? There is always something, even if it's that you are still breathing. Instead of getting aggravated when stuck in line or traffic list things to be thankful for. Take it a step further and send a blessing to everyone you see. You'll be amazed at how centered and peaceful you feel.

3. Laugh. A few minutes of belly laughter is a great stress remedy. It will do you a world of good. Watch a funny video, read the comics or a funny email. Laugh at yourself. See your situation from a lighter perspective. Laughing releases tension and is a great stress relaxation technique.

5. Do a random act of kindness for someone. This stress reduction tip is a bad mood blaster that will leave you smiling. You might even want to do something nice for someone you feel upset with.

6. Capitalize on an excuse or 'cover' for releasing the pressure of some emotions. TV and sporting events can help here. Need to laugh? Watch a comedy. A 'chick flick' will bring on the tears. Need to yell? Coach your favorite team from the couch.

7. Sip calming teas. Keep a few favorites on hand that suit your tastes and needs. Enjoy a piece of dark chocolate or other stress-relieving magnesium-rich food.

8. Touch someone you care about. Touching and being touched causes your brain and heart to release the love hormone oxytocin, which helps you feel loved, nurtured and more relaxed. It's one of nature's stress remedies. Hug someone you love, pet the dog, enjoy a few minutes of your cat purring on your lap.

9. Take a deep breath and stretch your muscles throughout the day. Massage your shoulders, neck, forehead and hands in spare moments. Better yet, exchange with someone else or treat yourself to a professional massage or energy healing. Whenever you think of it, tense a group of muscles for a few seconds and release tension.

10. Enjoy a few minutes of mindfulness-based stress reduction. Or sit back and de-stress with this guided relaxation and stress relief video.

11. Tap gently on the collar-bone point on the soft spot at the top of your chest right under the collar-bone on either side of your throat. Or tap your sternum.

12. This stress reduction tip helps relax the ever vigilant triple warmer meridian. Starting at the front of your ears, take your fingers and smooth your scalp to the end of your ear three times while saying, "I am safe." This is the area where your eyeglasses sit. It looks and feels like you are smoothing back your hair.

13. Focus your attention as you drink a glass of water.Feel it going into your mouth and down your throat. Feel the glass in your hand. Take a deep breath and put the glass down. Imagine that you are drinking in peace and breathing out your anxious or stressful feeling.

14. Take a hot bath. If you are feeling very stressed and exhausted follow the stress reduction tips in the Stress-Relieving Bath Guide available in the members area.

15. Stand in the shower and imagine the water rinsing your troubles down the drain. Focus on the feeling of the warm water flowing over your body. Aim it at your tight muscles and feel them respond. Imagine that the water is cleansing your energy field and aura, making it fresh and bright.

16. Give yourself permission to have some fun or just relax. We are human beings, not human doings. Stress reduction tips are helpful, but it's even better if you've learned how to let yourself relax so you don't need to use them so often.

17. Meridian Tapping Techniques such as EFT are stress relaxation techniques that help you let go of old emotional garbage and zap stress and anxiety on the spot. A few minutes with these techniques can take the edge off stress and help you cope more effectively.

18. Spend some time in nature. Feel the wind on your face. Listen to the birds sing. Look at all the different kinds of plants. Lean up against a tree and relax. Let your bare feet touch the earth. Take a walk in the rain. Let the ocean waves wash your upset away. You'll be amazed at how relaxed you feel.

19. Write your thoughts and feelings down on paper. Don't censor your words or emotions, just write freely. Write about it for two more days if you're still upset. Give yourself twenty uninterrupted minutes to write. Do you feel any different or have a different perspective about the problem?

20. If you experience stress headaches due to tiredness or staring at the computer too long, try this effective headache massage technique.

21. Use natural stress remedies that support your mind and body so they can better manage the effects of stress when necessary.

Although these stress relaxation techniques may also relieve anxiety, see specific natural relief for anxiety strategies here. There's also a video demonstrating one of my favorite techniques for those times when I'm feeling very anxious and need to bring it down fast.

Share Your Stress Reduction Tips

Do you have some favorite stress reduction tips or stress remedies to share with fellow readers? What is your secret for keeping stress at bay?

We'd love to hear your stress relaxation techniques and story here.

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