12 of 26

Write now Article Tools

Page 3 of 4

It's our natural built-in release valve. Have you ever been so angry when you were arguing with someone, that your use of the English language just eluded you? You suddenly forgot proper sentence structure and sounded like a 5 year old? Instead of trying to cover up your mistake, just let it come out funny. Crack a joke like, "I'm so angry I'm turning into a character from a bad alien movie," and laugh at yourself. It's likely he or she will begin laughing too.

Another trick, when you're in bad traffic (I live in LA, so I know from bad traffic!) is to turn on the comedy station. If you've got satellite radio in your car, they've got some great comedy channels. If not, listen to your favorite amusing radio dj's. If you're at home with a baby and/or small children, get out a Dr. Seuss book and read it out loud to your kids.

You get the idea. Many of us have a tendency to take life so seriously. Learning to lighten up and laugh at life's craziness will do wonders for relieving our day-to-day stress.

3. You got to move it, move it. Whatever physical activity makes you happy, do it. It may be dancing like a happy idiot to rock music in front of the mirror in your bathroom (this might have the double effect of making you laugh at yourself!) It may be taking a ballroom dancing class. It may be tennis. It may be running until you're a big ball of sweat. Whatever it is, you must make time for it at least four times a week.

4. Pet your dog, cat or fish (just kidding about the fish, although staring at an aquarium works too.) Giving your pet love and attention is proven to lower blood pressure and reduce stress hormones. This might come under the category of "tending" with the added benefit of a pet's unconditional love. Why do you think they bring therapy dogs into the hospital for patients to pet? Because it reduces stress, which help one heal faster. So, take a break in your busy day and pet your dog or cat.

5. Resist not. I believe the cause of much of our stress lies in our perception of events. In this department women might be at more of a disadvantage than men. Let's face it, we're just more sensitive than guys. We tend to take things more personally. And we tend to wish that, whatever the source of our stress, it would just go away. When we resist what is, we are increasing our stress response to it. Think about the last time you were late for an important meeting and were sitting in traffic. Think about the last time you walked into your child's room only to find

• << previous page
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about Best ways to reduce stress?
We want to hear your view. Write now!