7 Natural Ways to Relieve Stress

The hectic pace of life is enough to stress anyone out. Add to that financial trouble, emotional turmoil, and employment concerns and you may feel stress beyond your limits. Don't less stress build and build until you snap. Get stress under control by adopting one or more of the following ways to relieve stress.

Natural Ways to Relieve Stress - Release Your Feelings

Bottled up emotions can lead to stress. It is important to release your feelings. Find a friend who will be a confidant. You should be able to talk freely to a friend or counselor to blow off steam without worrying that your secrets will be told or that you will make someone angry. It is important to have at least one ally in whom you can trust and confide.

You can also vent your feelings through writing. Get yourself a journal, not a blog, and let your frustrations flow through the written word. Blogs are a good way to share your feelings and knowledge, but if you are airing confidential information it is not a good idea to post it on the Internet where it can be found. By a bound journal that will serve as a dedicated place for you to get things off your chest.

Natural Ways to Relieve Stress - Find Your Passion

If all you do is work and spend yourself on others, it is little wonder that you are stressed out. Recall what it is in life that you are really passionate about and get busy doing it. It can be a hobby, volunteer work, or something creative. Once you find your passion and spend a little time each day getting lost in something you really enjoy doing you will feel better. You will find that pent up aggression and emotion can be released. You passion becomes a catharsis.

Natural Ways to Relieve Stress - Get Control of Your Feelings

Stress causes a variety of physiological reactions in the body. You may feel your chest tighten, begin to breathe rapidly, and your heart begin to pound. These are normal reactions to stress, but they are hard on your body. When stress overtakes you stop wherever you are and whatever you are doing for just a few minutes. Tell yourself to calm down. Close your eyes and visualize yourself in a calm, tranquil place. Take control of your breathing. Breathe slowly in through your nose and out through your mouth. Intentionally relax the muscles in your body. Remain in a calm quite state until you begin to feel calm.

Natural Ways to Relieve Stress - Laugh

It has been said that "laughter is the best medicine." Laughter will help relief stress and anxiety, even if you have to go out of your way to find a laugh. Try having a daily joke delivered to your in-box. Actively seek out funny movies. Buy your favorites to watch on DVD. Turn on the TV to the comedy channel. There is always something funny going on in this world; sometimes you just have to look for it.

Natural Ways to Relieve Stress - Exercise

Exercise is a great stress reliever. Find something to do that causes you to get physical. Work hard enough that you get your heart rate up. Allow your muscles to catch up with your feelings of anxiety. You will find that the physicality of exercise and the release of endorphins cause you to feel better.

Natural Ways to Relieve Stress - Get a Massage

Get over your inhibitions and try a professional massage to get rid of stress. If you cannot afford a professional massage have a spouse or friend work on pressure points, give you a deep tissue massage, or simply massage in long soothing strokes. Massage is a great way to relieve stress.

Natural Ways to Relieve Stress - Enjoy Music

Singing or listening to music is another way to help alleviate stress. Music calms the soul. Take advantage of the size and portability of modern MP3 players and keep some of your favorite music handy. When you are stressed out take a few minutes to get into the zone with your favorite tunes. Sing along or hum. You'll soon begin to feel less antagonized and stressed out.

Pick stress coping strategies that work best for you. Practice them until they become a habit. You will feel better and probably have a better attitude, too.

Sources:

Stress Management - Ways to Relieve Stress , Webmd.com
The Human Brain - Renew - Relieve Stress , The Franklin Institute
Massage for Stress Relief , The Mayo Clinic
Guide to Stress Relief , Harvard Health Publications - PDF