Stress Relief
By John S Rhodes
Stress relief is about finding a way to ease the pressures, both mental and physical, that build up when we are faced with stressful situations. We cannot avoid stress, but we can at least learn how to counteract it by learning how to evoke the opposite of the stress response, which is the relaxation response. The relaxation response ought to reduce the production of stress hormones which, in turn, leads to a relaxation of the muscles and an increased blood flow to the brain.
To maintain a daily stress relief practice you need to schedule a set time, either once or twice a day, for your relaxation practice. Remember you need to be in charge; take charge of your emotions, your thoughts, your environment, and the way you cope with your problems. Focus on the ultimate goal which is a balanced life. Look at managing your time better as poor time management can lead to a lot of stress. When you’re stretched too thin and running behind, it’s hard to stay calm and focused. But if you plan ahead, you can avoid these stress-inducing pitfalls. Here are some ideas for evoking a relaxation response through a daily stress relief program.
Find a secluded place in your home, office or outdoors where you can relax without distractions or interruptions. Relax and gather your thoughts. You’ll find that giving yourself a bit of distance from problems can bring clarity to the stressful situation. An old favorite is take a relaxing bath with soft music, candles and a mug of your favorite drink. Forget about everything else for an hour or so and you will begin to feel calmer. If you cannot take a relaxing bath, then try getting comfortable in a relaxing position. Keep your spine straight by sitting in a chair or on the floor. You could try a cross-legged or lotus position.
Take charge of your emotions by expressing your feelings instead of bottling them up. Communicate your concerns in a frank and respectful way. Deal with problems head on rather than hope for them to disappear. When you ask someone to change their behavior, be willing to compromise as well. Improving relationships is vital for relieving stress among family, friends and colleagues.
For further, in-depth stress relief advice, click here.
John Rhodes loves writing on issues that interest him and hopes that his articles will in turn help others in some small way.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_S_Rhodes
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