Got Recession Stress? Here's How to Relax

For many of us, the recession mean bills, extra overtime hours, and worries about the future. Constant worrying not only takes a toll on your health, but it can keep you from planning for the future, making those recession worries multiply over time. So, how do you learn to relax in the face of all those worries? You can't control your environment, its true, but you can control your reaction to it. Learning not only how to cope, but to thrive in the face of stressful situations will not only help you to ride out the recession, but lead to a longer, healthier life.

Make a Plan

Any psychiatrist will tell you: worry is a useless emotion. The only thing that worrying accomplishes is stress which takes a toll on your body, your energy level and your ability to plan for the future. However, it can be the natural response to overwhelming pressure that crises like the recession can bring. But when bills start piling up and the future looks bleak, don't stress; relax and plan.

Start by identifying the root of those stressful feelings. A great way to start is to make a list. Write down little problems, big problems, your biggest worries and things that might cause you stress in the future. Once your list is done, highlight the problems that are in your power to fix.

Bills piling up? Don't ignore the pile on the table. Get to know your debt. Tally up exactly how much you owe and spend an evening brainstorming on ways to earn more money. Do you need to take on an extra job? Move to a smaller place? Get rid of luxury items? Consult a debt management expert? Having a plan for the future is the best way to relax and turn negative energy into positive drive.

And the things you have no control over? Cross them off of your list. Worrying about them won't make them go away and gaining control over the problems that you can manage will help you to weather any storm those uncontrollable variables might bring.

Exercise

Emotions like stress and anxiety are a form of energy. And sometimes, festering excess energy (the result of an inactive life) can be mistaken for feelings of anxiety due to stress. A great way to turn the negative energy of stress into the positive energy of drive is exercise. At first blush, exercise does not seem like the best way to relax. But exercise can hold the key to a stress-free life.

Exercise releases chemicals in the body that make you feel god in spite of your problems. The release of cortisol and the increase of endorphins give you a natural high that can help you look forward to the future and keep recession problems from feeling quite so overwhelming. And studies have suggested that physical exercise helps build immunity to stress. Plus, there's nothing like a nice long run or walk to distract you from the problems of the day and get you thinking straight again.