Stress reduction is a hot topic nowadays. Pressure to achieve and to meet the needs of family, employers, friends and self can be overwhelming. Worse, stress can lower your immune system, leading to illness, and stress can lead to rash decision-making. A few basic stress reduction techniques may take some of the pressure off. Read on to learn reduce stress.
Instructions
1. Use lists and write the tasks on your list with precise language. For example, don't write this down: "Decide what to do for dinner." This task is too vague and intangible, and likely to cause more stress upon review. Try this: "Look up a recipe for pasta carbonara on-line and print it out." This task is easy to follow and easy to accomplish. Be sure to cross out tasks as you complete them for a real sense of satisfaction.
2. Do some sort of physical exercise, or at the very least, a breathing exercise daily. Tight schedules do not often permit leisurely jogs or long swims. Energize your daily morning dog walk by picking up the pace and your heart will follow, along with your cardiac health. Count breaths while working at the computer or right before bed. Exercise of some form is essential.
3. Prioritize. Use a pen and paper if necessary. Write down all your concerns, decide which ones really deserve the time and put the others away in a mental desk drawer. Review the list daily and rearrange as necessary.
4. Try to leave for appointments early. A major cause of stress is potential tardiness and the consequences of being late. Give yourself extra time whenever possible.
5. Try not to mix work and pleasure. Separating the two enhances the quality of your downtime and makes your work time more efficient. Practice with visualizations if they help. Leaving work can look like a swinging door clicking shut, for example.
6. Drink lots and lots of water. The human body is mostly made up of water and stress can lead to dehydration and eventually, fatigue. Stay soaked with a water bottle in your car, workplace, gym bag and home office.
7. Be forgiving of yourself. Stress can lead to forgetfulness and rushing. Both of these consequences can have negative effects on all sorts of situations. Unfortunately, it seems to be a vicious cycle; without the stress, there would be no need to rush and without the rush, there would be less stress. Break the cycle with a stern self-statement: "Slow down! Take care of yourself!"
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