by Daniel J. Gansle

Created on: June 13, 2008   Last Updated: June 29, 2009

There's no doubt about it, stress is a fact of life in today's fast-paced, always-on society. Studies have shown that stress has a very real effect on the human body, which typically shows up as muscle aches, headaches, abdominal discomfort, neck tension, and exhaustion. But stress also triggers certain chemicals in our body that can cause psychological changes, and in cases of prolonged stress, can even lead to serious health complications.

Thankfully, there are a number of ways we can reduce our stress levels. The following five techniques have been proven to lead to better health and peace of mind:

Smile for 90 Seconds
Say "cheese!" It may sound silly, but studies have shown that laughter is indeed the best medicine. Even if you don't laugh out loud, stop what you're doing for a moment and think of a funny joke or your favorite television comedy or movie. Whatever comes to your mind, feel yourself relaxing as you say to yourself, "Oh yeah, that was funny!"

Take a Deep Breath
When you go to bed at night, your breathing rate slows as your body enters into deeper sleep cycles. In this sense, your body is relaxing and renewing itself for the next day. While your employer probably doesn't want you sleeping on the job, you can recreate a similar sense of bodily relaxation by perfecting your breathing technique. Draw in a deep breath and hold it for a few seconds. Then slowly exhale, little by little. Do this three times, and you will naturally feel more relaxed.

Give Yourself a Mini Self-Massage
A good massage helps relieve tension and increases blood flow, and you can get some of the benefits of this exercise while sitting in your chair. Begin by rolling your head around in a circle and stretching your neck. Then begin to massage your neck downward toward the area where it meets your shoulders. Move outward on your shoulders, pressing in and out, using a circular and back and forth motion. Alternatively, you can purchase an electronic back massager for the back of your chair for a massage as you work.

Relax That Jaw
It's not uncommon for a stressed-out person to have a jaw ache along with their headache and neck ache. That's because we tend to hold a lot of tension in our jaws, though we don't always notice it. Take a moment to let your mouth hang open and relax your jaw muscles. And while you're at it, daydream a little.

Stop and Daydream
You might not want to take this step during the middle of an important business meeting, but stop rushing around for a moment and picture in your mind your favorite place. Maybe it's swinging in a hammock on a sparkling palm-strewn, sun-drenched tropical island and sipping a Pina Colada. Maybe it's the cool air on your face as you ski down the powdery slopes, or the familiar sights, sounds, and smells of yesteryear. Let the feelings of peace, joy, and contentedness wash over you.

Don't let stress get the better of you. Just follow these five easy steps, and see your stress levels decline and your health and well-being noticeably improved.

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