Tips to Relieve Stress and Be Happy

Stress is becoming a larger and larger part of our lives as time goes on. Aside from the warnings we hear from doctors about its affect on our health, relationships, and happiness, stress simply doesn't feel good. Stress causes decreases in our performance of many tasks, it can hurt our sleep patterns, and it can cause us to hit the fridge for that satisfying (but short-lived) bite of chocolate cake. Furthermore, if you want to be happy, you have to deal with stress first.

For your good (and for mine), this article explores some of the ways that we can cope with the "bad" stress in our lives. Some of the items on the list are easy to accomplish, while others require a shift in the way you think. But, they will all be helpful if you are trying to diminish the amount of stress that you feel on a day-to-day basis.

1. Realize that Stress is Typically Self-Inflicted

I know, I know. We want to think that stress is thrust upon us by our jobs, our families, and society in general. But, guess what... we're the ones that truly cause the stress. We're the ones that stand in the way of our own happiness. Now, there are some stressors that are very difficult to react favorably to (e.g. divorce, death of a loved one). However, we generally allow stress to grow out of proportion to the actual events we have encountered. Most of the time, I give stress the green light to grow from any event. I still get angry when another driver cuts me off, for instance. But, I firmly believe that the more I practice letting the stress go, the easier it will get.

And some stress is good. After all, stress was built into our DNA as a sign ("fight or flight") in the face of a physical warning. Stress can also help us achieve goals.

When it comes down to it, stress is what we make of it. You can often observe two different people experience the same stressful event and have two completely different stress levels regarding this event. So, try to take a step back when you are stressed and get some perspective. Are you just late one day on a project at work, or is a bear chasing you around like you're dinner? Guess which scenario deserves real attention and stress.

2. Realize that Everyone Feels Stress to Some Degree

It's amazing, but just knowing that you are not alone in the fight against stress helps. Nobody wants to feel alone and isolated. It's a very similar concept with depression, where the afflicted often feel like nobody could understand what they are going through. Even though we know that few people are truly happy at any given time, it still stinks to feel like you're the only person in the world who feels this way.

3. Breathe

When you are feeling stress, try to remember to breathe. I realize that you are breathing when you are stressed, but I'm not talking about the shallow, rapid breaths that we take when stressed. Try taking a real, deep slow breath. In fact, take a few. This will work wonders.

4. Give Yourself a Break

When you feel stress, take 10-minute break and do something you love. Take a little time for yourself to do something that makes you happy. It could be anything from walking around the block and observing nature to reading a magazine. It really doesn't matter what it is as long as it takes your mind off of the stress, makes you happy, and is legal.

5. Call a Friend or Family-Member

A common theme in this article is to take your mind off of your stressors. This item also plays into that strategy. Talking to a friend will not only take your mind off of your problems, but it will likely make you feel better as well. It's very hard to be stressed when you're focusing your attention on a conversation with your friends. When you talk to people who you consider happy, you'll generally find that they spend a lot of time with others in social situations. The happy typically are not loners who'd rather stay home and watch television than go out with friends and family.

6. Go for a Run

Exercise in any way you can. You may choose to run in place, lift weights, or climb a mountain. Whichever you choose, you will likely work off some of that stress and will help get your mind off of the stressor. It doesn't hurt that if you consistently exercise, you'll start to look and feel better in general.

7. Do Something Nice for Someone Else

It always feels so good to do something nice for another person. Stress just melts away. It may be helping an old lady across the street, teaching a kid how to do something, packing a picnic for you and your spouse, or just having a conversation with someone who's obviously having a bad day. Feeling like you made a difference, however small, is a natural anti-depressant and antidote for stress.

8. Create a Plan for Defeating the Stressor

It can be very helpful to have a plan if you want to accomplish something in life. To defeat stress, develop a plan. It doesn't have to be big or detailed, but it will help knowing that you've acknowledged a problem, are willing to attempt to deal with it, and have begun to think of ways to combat it. If you sit down for five minutes and just think of the small, quick things you can do to help with stress, you'll feel a lot better. Stress no longer feels insurmountable. If you are able to concoct a plan that works, and can stick to it, that would be even better.

9. Play with your Pet

Give your pet a little attention and be rewarded with a little less stress. Pets love attention and stress can't survive without attention. So, shift your focus from whatever stressful event you're constantly reliving to you faithful companion. Your pet will be happier and you'll be happier.

10. Laugh

Tell a joke or listen to a joke. Either way, laughter will quickly shift gears in your mind away from its stressed status. Laughter keeps you young, makes you happy, and melts the stress away.

Try all or some of these techniques, or make up some of your own. There are a limitless number of ways to beat stress. The most important factors are to realize that you suffer from stress, and to be motivated to do something about it.