14 PRACTICAL METHODS TO COMBAT STRESSPosted by Nick Niesen on October 26th, 2010 A stress- free lifestyle could very well do wonders in eliminating depression. 1. Express Amusement And Be Happy. Laugh hard and loud. If you don?t have a sense of humor, find someone else who has. Laughter releases endorphins (happy chemicals) from the body, and it helps boost your immune system. 2. Take Control Over Your Time and Schedule. You?ll be much more able to deal with stress if you have a good handle on your job, relationships, and other activities. When you are in control, you are more inclined to stay focused and calm. Plan your time wisely. Remember to leave room for unexpected events ? both negative and positive. Be adaptable in rearranging your agenda. Get up 15 minutes early in the morning. Allow an extra 15 minutes to get to all appointments. Do your tasks one thing at a time at a time. Focus your attention on the present moment, whether it?s the person talking to you or the job at hand. This helps you to avoid making errors - which lead to more tension and anxiety. Be patient in waiting. Anxiety caused by impatience can rise up your blood pressure. Say ?no? to requests that you cannot accomplish. Delegate trivial tasks. You must remember that you don?t have to do it all yourself. Crack a job into separate tasks and assign them to people with the suitable skills. 3. Work Out Strive and get some habitual exercise such as brisk walking, swimming or whatever appeals to you. Play a sport you?re interested in. Aerobic exercises can considerably reduce the stress factor. Work out also improves sleep and gives you time to think and focus on other things. It also promotes the release of natural soothing chemicals in your body. Do not result to excessive exercise, however, as this may have an adverse effect and might cause more depression. 4. Search Out For A Support Group. You?ll be able to manage stress much better if you have other people helping and supporting you. Did you know that married people and people who are outgoing (always meeting with friends), have considerably low levels of stress in their lives? Choose positive friends who are not worriers. Friends who continually put you Pardon others instead of holding grudges. Slow down your standards ? for Communicate clearly with your co-workers and boss. Ask questions. Repeat 5. Take Breaths Deeply and Slowly. Calm down your muscles, escalating your stomach and chest. Exhale slowly. Do it again several times. Follow your breath as it flows in and out. Do not try to have power over it. This is a good way to relax in the midst of any activity. This practice allows you to find a breathing pattern that is natural and relaxing to you. Make use of this yoga technique: Inhale slowly, counting to eight. Exhale through your mouth, even more slowly, counting to sixteen. Make a sighing sound as you exhale, and feel tension dissolve. Do it again 10 times. 6. Consume Healthy Foods at the Appropriate Time. 7. Live Optimistically. Count your blessings, particularly when everything seems to go wrong. Believe that many other people are living in worse conditions than you are. Don?t exaggerate the complexity of your problems. Every problem has a solution. All you need to do is find that solution. Learn to be happy and to enjoy life?s blessings. Live one day at a time. 8. Put Off Problems Earlier Than They Occur. 9. Enjoy The Good Things That Life Has to Offer. Arrange a day of beauty with a friend. Do each other?s hair, or paint your nails and chat. Make a simple steam facial at home by boiling water. Remove the pan from the stove. Cover your head with a large towel so that it creates a tent over the pot. Steam your face for five or 10 minutes. Add aromatic herbs to the water for a sensual touch. Center your attention on any of the senses ? hearing, seeing, eating or body movements ? for a few minutes. Even washing your hands can become a sensual experience. 10. Possess a Definite Goal or Purpose in Life, and Strive for it.. Time management experts highlight the importance of writing down your 11. Move Away to Recharge Your Spirit. Make a schedule for a private time alone every day. You deserve it. Unplug the telephone and enjoy a quiet evening alone or with your family, or even 15 continuous minutes in the shower or bathtub. You may want to spend a few minutes writing your feelings out in a journal. It can help you find a new viewpoint in life and relieve internal conflicts. More Tips to Recharge Your Spirit 12. Use Visualization and Affirmation Techniques. You can conquer a circumstance you fear by going over the event in your mind. Imagine the scene in clear detail and visualize the best possible result that may happen. You can also reduce an imagined fear down to size by picturing the worst possible outcome. Visualize describing this worst case to your best friend the next day and the sympathy you receive. Imagine telling a group of friends the next month, who contribute to their similar experiences. Finally, imagine joking about your unpleasant experience with a complete stranger a month later. If you carry this exercise through to the end, your stress will become something to laugh about. Replace negative self- talk with affirmations. Don?t let your mind be filled with gloom: You?re too ugly. . . you?re too old. . .you?ll never achieve anything. And things like: What if I fail the exam? What if she doesn?t like my gift? What if we get lost? These things haven?t even occurred yet. Nourish your mind with a constant stream of ?I can; therefore, I will.? 13. Get Sufficient Sleep. 14. Don?t Be Self-Centered. Like it? Share it!More by this author |