Stress Management Techniques To Live By

Andrea Gonzalez is a member of the Amazon Associates Program and earns money from qualifying purchases. Posts contain affiliate links that benefit Andrea as well.

Best stress management techniques. Stress is the body’s mental, emotional, and psychological response to any situation that is new, threatening, frightening, or exciting.  Stress should not be avoided entirely. A certain amount of stress is necessary for optimum health performance, and well-being. However, your mind and body work most efficiently and effectively when you are relaxed. Performance and enjoyment decline when you feel stressed out. Stress can be controlled with simple relaxation techniques. For the best results, set aside some time every day for relaxation using one or more of the following:

 

 Exercise:

Regular aerobic exercise is one of the best stress management technique for reducing stress. Exercise allows us to play out the instinctive fight or flight response. Several studies demonstrate that exercise reduces the intensity of stress, shortens the time it takes to recover from stress, and he can help ward off illnesses that are associated with experiencing too much stress. On the other hand, overdoing exercise  can be hazardous and even increase tension and stress. Moderation is always key. Balance your exercise by alternating more vigorous days with mild days and always keep it fun.

 

 Meditation:

 

This is a mental exercise that affects body processes thus producing physical benefits. The purpose of meditation is to gain control of your attention – to internally quiet down allowing you to choose what to focus on and to block out distracting thoughts. Meditation is a simple and very valuable stress management technique that produces the body’s relaxation response. Some physical benefits of this practice include decrease muscle tension, increase blood flow, decreased blood pressure, decreased anxiety, fears, and phobias, improve quality of sleep, and increased positive mental health

 

Abdominal Breathing:

Most of us breathe short shallow breaths, expanding only the chest especially when feeling stressed. This is termed thoracic breathing and is not the proper most helpful way to breathe. It does not allow the lungs to fill and empty completely, which can actually increase muscle tension.  Breathing from your abdomen allows more oxygen to enter the body and relaxes the muscles. Practice abdominal breathing at least once a day so that it becomes natural.

 

Yoga:

Yoga is a discipline that involves the use of various exercises and posture in combination with proper breathing rhythm to remove tension in the body. It also can improve muscular strength, muscular endurance, and body alignment. The psychological and physiological benefits of this form of exercise have been well-researched confirming that it is excellent at improving health and helping you deal with stress.

 

Relationships:

Studies show that long-term, loving relationships provide people with important stress management tools. Chronic stress can have a negative impact on your health, but having a strong social support network of family and friends can help minimize the negative psychological impact of stress.

 

Diet:

 

Your diet have an important part in your stress management program. A poor diet with a lack of nutrients can increase your susceptibility to stress by causing fatigue and irritability. This is even more likely to happen to people who are eating too many meals away from home, missing meals, or eating on the run. Preparation of good food takes time, and good food is necessary to achieving optimal health and relaxation. Healthy food and nutrition that it provides is vital for life! Here are a few steps to consider:

 

1. Reduce or eliminate caffeine. It is a stimulant that magnifies the effects of stress.

2. Limit foods containing sugar, especially highly refined sugar. This processed additive robs the body of many vitamins and minerals essential for proper body and mind function. A lack of these essential vitamins and minerals can induce anxiety and inability to cope with stressful situations. Learn to use natural sweeteners, such as stevia, honey and pure maple syrup.
3. Avoid damaged fat. These include processed fats, hydrogenated oils, fried foods, and heated  polyunsaturated oils. These fats can be harmful to mental health because they reduce circulation, especially to the brain and heart. This prevents the brain from getting adequate oxygen, which means that thinking becomes dull, sluggish, and weak .
4. Avoid alcohol this beverage is a powerful depressant drug that inevitably increases stress.
5. Eat nutrient-rich food, these include fresh fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, fermented dairy products, and grass-fed meat.

 

Some last tips:

 

• Plenty of restful sleep is the best stress management technique. Most people need 7 to 8 hours. Don’t lose sleep over things you cannot control.
• Tight muscles can be a result of stress. Furthermore, stress can be perpetuated by tight muscles. Regular massages can help alleviate stressful tension built up in the muscles and relax your mind.
• Balance work and play. Regular recreation is your fun time and needed to enjoy life!
• Time management is a tough task in this day and age. Analyze how you are spending your time, set goals, and prioritize. Find time each day to appreciate your special experiences in the gifts around you. Look at the bright side of each situation. You are in control of you! Positive emotions and laughter play an important role in keeping you well!