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How to Reduce Stress

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Stress Relief Tips, No Matter What Your Age

 

It seems like the older we get, the more we feel the stress.  It's coming from all around us - home, work, finances, and family.  Any changes to our lifestyle cause stress, even if they're good changes such as retirement.  But if you have a high level of stress without relief, it can cause health problems in the long run.

It is impossible to have absolutely no stress in your life; that would mean you're not living.  But you don't need to be on the other end of the spectrum either.  Here are some stress-lowering tips that may help you relax.  Choose the exercises that you find appealing.

1.  Laugh it up.

This can be used in an immediate stressful situation, but it works even better as a long term strategy.  Know what makes you laugh and seek it out.  Does your best friend get you in stitches or do you chuckle at funny movies?  Set your stage for more opportunities to laugh.

2.  Exercise your body.

Exercise not only gets your mind off your immediate problems and lets you step away to get a clearer picture, but it can also raise your endorphins to make you feel better.

3.  Treat yourself to a massage.

It doesn't have to be an all-out expensive full body massage, it can be a short shoulder massage.  Or ask your spouse to give you a hand massage while you're watching TV.  The smallest of massages will make you feel good and will help relax you.

4.  Listen to music.

Your stress will melt away if you let it all hang out with the beat you were familiar with as a teenager.  It will also help when you close your eyes and feel the essence of calming music.

5.  Talk.

Talk about your issues with someone you trust and respect.  They can give a different perspective and offer suggestions.  It might be wise to seek a professional whom you can pay to listen to you and will offer support.

6.  Yoga.

It's not too late to learn yoga and it's an excellent way to relieve stress because it combines stretching (which is so good for you anyway), breathing, and meditation.

7.  Say no.

I don't care who you are, you've only got 24 hours in a day.  Think about where you want your priorities to be and start saying no to everything else.  

8.  Breath deep.

To bring quick relief in a stressful situation, try deep breathing.  Focus on your breathing, not the stress, and breathe.  It's also good for your lungs and increases the oxygen in your blood.

9.  Be entertained and/or pampered.

These two things allow the stress to fall off your shoulders.  Choose what makes you feel good - a weekend at the beach, a morning away from the office, the theatre, a good meal in your favorite restaurant, or even a pedicure.  Try to treat yourself more often.
 
10.  Write in a journal.

For many people, writing about what makes them stressed helps them find focus and come up with a stress relief plan.


It is impossible to remove all stress from your life, and a little is probably what makes you feel alive.  But too much stress can trigger health problems and that's not what you want as you head into your retirement years.

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