by Stephanie Anderson

Created on: March 28, 2010

Go outside! Going for a walk or riding a bike can literally pedal your troubles away. A change of scenery helps to take your focus off worries and stress. Physical activity releases endorphins and serotonin into the bloodstream which helps us to feel uplifted, sleep better and also improves our memory.

Listen to music. Studies have shown that when we are feeling stressed or anxious, music can help make us feel calm. Nature music has been known to be calming. But be careful, as it can also have the opposite effect.

Take a bath. Run yourself and warm aromatic bath after a stressful day and your troubles will feel like they are washing away. Add lavender oil for more stress reducing effects. Taking time out for yourself to have a bath is relaxing due to the simple fact that you are taking time out for yourself! 

Try aromatherapy. It helps to alleviate stress and anxiety when used with calming scents, such as lavender oil. Check out your health food store for more information on oils to use for this. Some can have varying effects depending on the person, so it is best to do a little research into what scent will work best for you.

Do deep breathing exercises. This increases your oxygen intake and has a calming effect on our bodies. Try to imagine each muscle relaxing with each breath. Practice meditation and visualization.  These help to "put you in another place" mentally.  It requires a calm and quiet place.  These are not easy to do when you are stressed or have children running wild, therefore using another technique may be more effective.

Read.  Try to read about something that is uplifting to you and possibly inspirational. This is also taking the focus off of the stressors that may be affecting the way you are feeling. Snuggle up, put on your pajamas and read your worries away.

Talk to someone.  Share your worries and anxiety and make sure it is with someone you can trust to keep your confidence.  Unloading can be wonderfully cathartic.  Just make sure you advise the other person that you're not seeking their help to solve your problems, just looking for a shoulder to cry on.

Learn to say No.  Use this technique more often and discover less anxiety and stress. Sometimes you have to say yes to others but if it's not necessary then saying no will give you that extra time that you deserve.

Be creative.  Plant a new flowerbed, or work in your garden. Go visit a friend, sit outside and consciously listen to the music of the birds. Draw a picture, take a picture, or pick some flowers.  Write an article or story to share. These will open up your creativity and can relax you. Once again it is taking the focus off of you, stresses, and life.

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