Eight Ways to Relieve Pent Up Stress

Stress can be good thing when it motivates us to stretch our personal strengths or when we're trying to otherwise attain a worthy goal. Stress becomes bad when it is negative and causes prolonged fear, anxiety or even panic. Stress, if nothing is done to properly relieve it can even cause physical symptoms to take place in a person's body.

Smile
The simple act of physically smiling releases hormonal chemicals in the brain that can make you feel happy. This can work when you feel anxiety or negative stress just coming on. If you're already extremely stressed, you should do some deep breathing first until you start to feel somewhat better then try smiling. Get in the habit of random smiling for no apparent reason and in places and situations where you normally do not do so. Watch how this changes your day.

Exercise
Regular aerobic exercise fits the bill when trying to relieve stress. Attempt to get in 20-30 minutes of heart pumping exercise two to three times a week. Always consult your doctor before beginning any exercise routine. A simple method to incorporate exercise into your daily habits is simply to walk more. Do you have a dog that rarely gets walked? Start walking the dog, rain or shine. You both will start to feel better in quick order!

Creativity
Channel your negative stress into a creative activity. By doing something creative, you physically turn the negative stress into something positive, effectively making the stress work for you rather than it controlling you. For example, if like to write stories, use the negative experiences you're dwelling on to throw at your "bad guy" characters. Alternately, make your character evil characters take the fall and receive the justice you crave in your personal situation. If you think of something positive that may solve the problem, turn it into an article and then submit it for payment on associatedcontent.com.

Religion
Read more of your religious texts and concentrate on the portions that offer problem solving ideas or calm sayings of living life. Spend time every day doing this. Consider talking about the issues that are causing you stress with a clergy person you trust.

Legal Education
Educate yourself on your rights and responsibilities under the law for your given situation. Knowledge is power. Go with your gut instinct in assessing the situation and then temperament your decisions based on what you can and cannot do according the law.

Socialization
Sometimes socialization with others you have something in common with can help you relieve some of the stress. This also prevents you from sulking while you're alone and helps keeps your problem in view with some healthy perspective rather than letting it get blown out of proportion.

Present Mind
Although this part can be easier said than done, do your best to not think about the events of tomorrow to a certain extent. Dwelling on things you cannot control does not help you sleep better. Believe good things about yourself and those around you and try to stay in the present. Stop to "smell the roses" by reading a good fiction novel you've been wanting to get to, take a long bubble bath or anything else that is healthy, constructive and healing for yourself.

Let Go
Try to have the attitude, "If it happens, it happens," and let the rest of it go. Know you've done the best you can if you have and if you haven't resolved to try and do better next time.

This is not a full list of stress relievers. You should seek professional medical assistance if you are under so much stress that you continually feel hopeless about your future, if you have thoughts of harming yourself or others or if you cannot shake the "blues" after two weeks with no reoccurring major stressful taking place in your life.

Professional medical assistance can help you temporarily intervene in stress management while you are dealing with your stress. Do not be afraid to reach out for assistance.