by Kat Centeno

Created on: May 06, 2009   Last Updated: March 30, 2010

Stress is something we face at different points in our lives. The tension it brings to our well-being can be a problem. It can be as simple as meeting deadlines and paying bills or as complicated as personal conflicts. These are unavoidable so the best way to really fight it is to be able to control it and find ways to reduce the stress. There are easy ways to cope with stress.

1. Know the cause of the stress. Take time to think about it and contemplate on the reasons behind the stress. Sometimes we are just over-reacting when an issue comes up when in fact it can easily be ignored and set aside. If possible, cut out the things that drain you out.

2. Learn to relax. Get a nice bubble bath. The warm water with the soothing bubbles can calm the nerves. Do not forget to light aromatherapy candles. The relaxing smell of the candles will envelop the bathroom and ease up the tension in your muscles. Get a massage. The healing hands of a skilled therapist can soothe those muscle pains and other aches in your body. Massage develops good blood circulation making the blood efficiently transport oxygen to the heart. Different types of massages have different effects on your body- from activating nerve impulses, releasing tension on sore muscles to eliminating toxins in the body. Find the type that helps you beat stress.

3. Listen to music. Music is a great stress reliever. Depending on which type of music relaxes you, the beat, rhythm and tempo have an effect to the body. It is said that listening to classical music while pregnant can stimulate the baby's brain activity. If music has an effect on the baby inside the womb, it will do wonders to the person listening to it. It can easily get our mind off the worries and just enjoy the beats and melody. Add to it positive and uplifting lyrics and it becomes our own motivational coach.

4. Smile. Laugh hard. We often hear it said that laughter is the best medicine. Laughter is like a pill for stress. When we laugh, stress hormones like cortisol and dopamine are reduced while happy hormones like endorphins are released. When you cannot get yourself to laugh, try to watch comedy films and you'll surely get your funny bones tickled in no time. Watch the film with friends. Laughter is contagious and when friends laugh, we laugh. It is a way we connect with others too. It makes life fun. You'll forget what stressed you.

5. Try meditation. Meditation is clearing your mind of the negativity and finding your peaceful state. Find yourself a room where you can be alone. Close your eyes and focus on nothing. It eliminates the thoughts that stressed you and you get that inner calm.

There are many simple ways to relieve ourselves of the stress. Try any of them and you'll surely be able to handle whatever challenges thrown at you. Learn to handle stress well. Life is not fun without them.

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