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To most efficiently reduce stress, a combination of quick and easy techniques, along with others that require a little planning. Three significant areas of focus for optimum relief include the spirit, mind and body. Unless we incorporate some new habits into our lives, stress will weigh us down physically, emotionally and spiritually. A few of these new habits would include some extra time and effort, others can be done in just a few moments at any time of the day.

Our spirits must keep in touch with our consciousness to feel truly at ease, but the way our bodies and minds react to stress can interfere with our own self identity in the larger scheme of things, our sense of self worth and our ability to experience peace. It often results in some kind of despairing existential crisis.
To release stress from the spirit, learn to meditate. The journey of learning meditation is comforting, enlightening and healing. Meditation breathing exercises can be done anywhere at any time, as can a quick prayer or moment of silence. Another way to release stress from the spirit is to consciously remind your spirit and allow it to dwell on even short moments during which you feel especially at ease, witness some beauty in nature or the mundane. Eventually, it will take no conscious effort for you to truly enjoy the present moment. This alone would reduce stress incredibly. Read and reflect on spiritual literature or quotations. Find out what inspires you and explore it.

Our bodies have to work harder and with fewer resources when faced with stress. It is not uncommon for a person to become very sick or develop a health problem following a period of stress. Most of us experience headaches, back and neck pain, insomnia, digestive upset, or fatigue as our bodies try to compensate and function while we are facing stress. We seem to hold stress as a physical energy in our bodies, causing such maladies. Regular exercise is the best way to reduce stress. To have your heart rate raised during exercise for at least 25 minutes naturally releases the neurotransmitter serotonin and endorphins that are biologically designed to help us release stress. Get a massage monthly if you can. Maintain a healthy posture while sitting, standing and walking. Incorporate a five to ten minute yoga routine into your morning or evening routine. Stop what you are doing every so often and inhale and exhale slowly about five times. Walk as much as you can. Drink more water, eat more fiber and take your vitamins!

Our minds grow tired and dull from stress unless we can release it. The brain becomes cluttered with both the tiny details and constant daily stimuli of live: resolving work, family and relationship issues; reacting to complex or profound , even tragic events and memories of past events. Reactive emotion will often bias our perspective, so that we see and respond to the world through a lens of fear, anger, or confusion.
To sharpen our minds, we have to release the stress. The mind benefits from exercise as well as the body, so playing quick word or strategy games, reading, working on creative projects, or certain hobbies are enjoyable and very effective ways to release stress. Meditation or writing in a "Dream Journal" in the morning would also be helpful. Engage in good conversation, keep a scrapbook or a diary. Consciously avoid or stop negative thoughts and worries. Take short breaks often. Talk with someone about the life issues you are having trouble dealing with alone.

Learning about these techniques is easy, and many self-help books can provide insightful perspective on different ways to eliminate as much stress from your life as possible. Releasing stress feels so good that it naturally becomes a healthier lifestyle.

Learn more about this author, Kellie Fay.
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