Have you ever had a day where it just seems like nothing is going your way? Or do you have a lot of things you need to get done, but found you have only accomplished a few of these? Stress presents itself in many ways and while small amounts of stress can be beneficial, too much stress can be detrimental to our minds and bodies. So what can one do, when the pressures of stress become too hard to cope with?
The following article highlights 10 fast and effective ways to relieve stress fast.
Check out the article below:
1. Get up and move.
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Hit the gym. Go for a walk. Take your car for a spin. Do some jumping jacks. Lift some weights. Do SOMETHING to engage those feel-good endorphins that will help lower your stress levels.
2. Make a list.
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Whenever I’m feeling overwhelmed, I write down all of the things I want to accomplish for the day so I can prioritize, delegate, and reschedule tasks to make things more manageable. Sometimes I’m able to cut my workload in half, other times I end up adding MORE things to my list, but I always feel more in control, which goes a long way in helping to lower my stress level.
3. Learn how to say ‘no’.
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I used to try and do everything anyone asked me to do, but then I endured the 4-year sleep regression and realized I’m not Super Woman, and that it’s okay to say ‘no’ once in a while. And you know what? It’s been a lifesaver for me.
4. Breathe.
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Whenever my 3-year-old threatens to have a full-blown temper tantrum in public (which happens more than I’d like to admit), my initial reaction is to get on the floor and kick and scream with her. But then I remember I’m the adult and I take a few long, deep breaths while I count to 10, and I am always amazed at how quickly I can feel my blood pressure go down.
5. Laugh.
If I feel like I’m going to completely lose my mind, I try to think of something funny.
Like this ridiculous stuffed animal I once saw at a toy store:
6. Call a friend.
Sometimes, all it takes is hearing a friendly voice, or unloading your problems onto someone who ‘gets’ you to make you feel better!
7. Put things into perspective.
Will the world end if you don’t get that TPS report to your boss by 5 pm, if that blog post isn’t written before you go to bed tonight, if the laundry isn’t folded until tomorrow, or if you eat take-out 3 nights in a row this week? I didn’t think so.
8. Take a hot shower.
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I don’t know if it’s the hot water, the lavender body wash I use, or the fact that personal grooming is one of the only luxuries I get to enjoy on my own these days, but I often do my best thinking when I’m standing under a hot faucet.
9. Delegate.
I used to be one of those people who thinks she has to do every single thing HERSELF in order for it to be done correctly, but then I learned the art of delegation and my life got a million times easier. You should try it sometime. It’ll do wonders for your blood pressure!
10. Plan a vacation.
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Imaginary or not, planning a getaway is a great way to distract yourself from the demands of your everyday life.
The next time you are feeling stressed, give these tips a try. Share this with your friends that could use a little stress relieve in their lives.
