Taking a break from the stressful moments of life can help you recharge your batteries and restore your sense of peace and calm. Stress relief techniques can be as simple as using your senses to relieve stress, such as listening to music or walking outdoors.
Yoga is a great way to reduce stress because it can promote relaxation, mindfulness, and self-awareness. Try some of the following poses to relieve stress:
Breathing Deeply
Focusing on your breathing during yoga stress relief poses helps calm the nervous system, promotes relaxation, and allows you to focus better in the moment. Inhale through your nose and exhale slowly.
Physical Touch
Hugging a friend or loved one can relieve stress, especially when you’re feeling overwhelmed. Studies show that physical contact releases oxytocin, a hormone associated with happiness and lower stress levels.
Exercise
Virtually any form of physical activity can act as a stress reliever, whether you’re an athlete or just out of shape. A brisk walk can give your mind and body a much-needed change of scenery and bring the benefits of exercise into your daily routine.
Meditation
Meditation is a powerful way to relieve stress, as it can help you control your reactions to events and build emotional resilience. Regular meditation can also help you develop healthy coping skills, such as managing stress in a positive way and building trust with your intuition.
Progressive Relaxation
If you’re feeling anxious or stressed, try tensing and relaxing each muscle group in your body. This can help you release tension and reduce the chances of a panic attack, says Dr. Dowd. It can also promote sleep and reduce stress-related headaches, depression, anxiety, and substance use.
Time Management
When you have a clearer understanding of the demands on your time, you’ll be able to set reasonable expectations for yourself and your family and friends. This will make it easier to manage your stressors, and you’ll likely have more energy for the important things in life.
Clutter
Sometimes the accumulated clutter in your home or office can be a contributing factor to stress. It can be tempting to keep things organized to look neat and tidy, but cluttered surroundings are a trigger for stress. Take some time to clear away clutter, and see if your life is more peaceful.
Listening to music
Playing your favorite tunes can help reduce stress in a variety of ways, from relaxing you to uplifting your spirits. It may also help you concentrate on a task and lessen your distractions, says psychologist Michael Sieka, M.D.
Having a Supportive Network
Reaching out for social support can be helpful for reducing stress. Find someone you can talk to about your feelings, and ask them for help with tasks that have been causing you problems. If you don’t have close friends, consider joining a support group.
Therapeutic Counseling
If self-care measures aren’t relieving your stress, or if new stressors are challenging your ability to cope, then seek the help of a therapist. Psychotherapy can help you explore your thoughts and emotions, find a more balanced perspective on situations that trigger stress, and learn to manage your stress more effectively.