by Danelle Karth

Created on: April 15, 2009

Stress effects us all and most of us feel its effects on a regular basis. We all have things that we enjoy that allow us to relax and let the stress go. However, many of these things take a lot of time and with our stressful schedules and so much to do there just isn't time to relax. Stress relief doesn't have to take forever and can come in small bites throughout the day.

Healthy Lifestyle.

One of the best ways to relieve stress is to start working toward a healthier lifestyle. This should include a healthy and well balanced diet. That means eating plenty of fruits and vegetables! It also means eating regular meals including breakfast. In addition to eating well you should drink eight to ten glasses of water a day for a healthier you. Finally exercising for as little as 30 minutes three times a week can make a huge difference.

Exercise.

Regular exercise is a great way to find stress relief. For its effects you don't even have to do it for 30 minutes. If you are short on time, fear not! A quick walk or jog around the block can make you feel better. If that isn't your cup of tea you can try aerobics, Pilate's, or yoga for a short 15 minute work out that helps relieve the stress in your life. Plus, no gym membership required!

Meditation.

Meditation is often something many people are scared of. After all there is an image of monks spending the day making odd sounds and sitting cross legged. While it is true that these are often masters of meditation, that isn't what meditation is or has to be. A few minutes (even one minute) can provide you stress relief and there are a variety of ways that you can meditate for the benefits. You can do deep breathing exercises, a quiet time out, a mental vacation, or you can concentrate on tightening and relaxing all of your muscles.

Massage.

So, here is another one we all wish we could get more of, but it takes time and money. You can however relax in a few minutes time with a self massage. You can use your fingers to rub your neck, head, hands, and feet in circular motions for relaxation. In fact, rubbing the neck and hands can even be done at work!

Music and Scents.

Music is a great way to relax. Choosing something without words will help you be able to work through whatever choice you have made. You can find a variety of music styles without words or choose something that is designed specifically for relaxation. Soundtracks with nature sounds can also be very relaxing. Another way that we can enjoy relaxation is through scents in the

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>