Stress Relievers: 25 Ways to Reduce Stress

We all experience stress from time to time. When stress gets to be too much, it can take a toll on our health and wellbeing. That's why effective stress relievers are essential in restoring inner peace and physical health. Here is a growing list of stress relievers that can help you feel less affected by stress in your life.

1. Guided Imagery
   Practicing guided imagery is a fun and simple way to take a break
   
   
2. Self-Hypnosis
   
3. Autogenics
   
4. Journaling
   
5. Meditation
   
6. PMR
   
7. Yoga
   

Yoga incorporates breathing exercises, meditation, and light exercise.
One session brings initial stress relief, and continued practice brings
greater resilience to stress. It's one of the more potent stress
relievers.

1. Breathing
   Breathing
   exercises provide convenient and simple stress relief in that they can
   be used anytime, anywhere, and they work quickly.
   
2. Playing Games
   Enjoying
   a good game with a group of friends, or playing something relaxing
   online can take your mind off of your stressors, and can lead to a more
   relaxed state. Games are stress relievers that work well because people
   enjoy them enough to use them regularly.
   
3. Sex
   Within
   a healthy relationship, sex can be a fantastic stress reliever, as it
   incorporates several other stress relief ingredients--breathing, touch,
   social connection, and a few others--and brings a rush of endorphins and
   other beneficial chemicals with orgasm. It's another one of the more
   "fun" stress relievers that can also be quite effective.
   
4. Laughter
   The
   physical act of laughing releases tension and brings positive
   physiological changes. Finding ways to work more laughter into your day
   can be an effective route to stress relief.
   
5. Biofeedback
   While
   biofeedback requires some special equipment, this stress relief
   technique can allow you to become more aware of and consciously alter
   the physiological changes that come with stress. By using your mind to
   relax your body, you can relax your mind to a greater degree as well,
   creating a positive feedback loop.
   
6. Music Therapy
   Music
   can alter your physiology in ways that help you to relieve stress.
   It's an enjoyable, passive route to stress relief. Formal music therapy
   sessions can help with a variety of stress-related issues.
   
7. Take a Walk
   Exercise
   is a fantastic stress reliever that can work in minutes. Taking a walk
   allows you to enjoy a change in scenery, which can get you into a
   different frame of mind, and brings the benefits of exercise as well.
   Learn about the other benefits of walking as a stress reliever.
   
8. Plant a Garden
   Getting
   outside and enjoying the scenery is just one of the ways that gardening
   can contribute to stress relief. Read about the other stress reliever
   benefits of planting a garden.
   
9. Time Management
   Honing
   your time management skills can allow you to minimize the stressors
   that you experience, and better manage the ones you can't avoid. When
   you are able to complete everything on your "to do" list without the
   stress of rushing or forgetting, your whole life feels easier.
   
10. Listen To Music
    Finding
    a music therapist isn't the only way music can help as a stress
    reliever. Creating playlists for various moods (a cathartic mix for
    when you want to process feelings, an upbeat mix for when you need more
    energy, etc.) can help you to relieve stress passively, enjoyably, and
    conveniently.
    
11. Eat a Balanced Diet
    A poor diet can bring greater reactivity toward stress. A healthy diet can bring greater physical and emotional wellness. Find some simple go-to meals and snacks, and feel less stressed in your daily life.
    
12. Learn Assertive Communication Skills
    Relationships
    can be great stress relievers. Knowing how to keep your relationships
    healthy through effective communication is one of the best investments
    of time and energy for stress relief.
    
13. Enjoy Aromatherapy
    Aromatherapy has proven benefits for stress relief--it can help you to become energized, more relaxed, or more present.
    
14. Reduce Caffeine Intake
    Consuming
    caffeine too late in the day can affect sleep quality, which impacts
    stress levels. Consuming too much caffeine in general can make you more
    emotionally reactive to stress. Learn how much caffeine is too much.
    
15. Drink in Moderation
    Speaking
    of knowing limits, maintaining careful limits with alcohol is
    particularly important. One glass of red wine at the end of the day can
    bring relaxation, but too much alcohol can obviously bring a host of
    other problems.
    
16. Don’t Procrastinate
    Putting
    off a stressful or labor-intensive project can only increase the stress
    you experience. Learn how to stop procrastination can allow you to get
    done what you need to do, without the added stress of rushing for a
    deadline.
    
17. Drink Green Tea
    Sitting
    with a glass of green tea and planning for the day ahead, or reflecting
    on the day behind (remember--decaf at night!) can provide you with a
    nice break and a taste of peace. You'll experience the health benefits
    of green tea as well.
    
18. Sign Up For The Free Weekly Newsletter For Ongoing Stress Relief Support!
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http://stress.about.com/od/tensiontamers/a/stressrelievers.htm