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Items That Help Relieve Stress

Stress is unavoidable. It is a natural reaction to demands and challenges. Stress is an indication that something in our lives needs attention and motivates us to take action. However, if unmanaged, stress can cause serious health problems. Many people look for ways to reduce their stress. There are items you can use to reduce your stress, avoid health problems and feel better.

  1. Essential Oils

    • Aromatherapy is the practice of using natural oils found in plants and flowers to improve physiological and psychological functioning. Essential oils can be purchased from many specialty and department stores and online. Each fragrance is classified to trigger a different emotion or mood. They can be used in lotions, diffusers, candles and many other products. Common fragrances to treat stress are chamomile, lavender and ylang ylang.

    MP3 Player

    • Music stimulates the senses, and MP3 players can be taken with you almost anywhere. Relaxing sounds and music may help soothe the anxiety and tension associated with stress. Some people may prefer classical music, others may enjoy soft jazz or gospel. Ocean waves and rain also are stress-reducing sounds. Load an MP3 player loaded with relaxing sounds and music and keep it in your purse, briefcase or desk drawer. Pop those earbuds in for a few minutes when stress begins to build.

    Pictures

    • Certain scenes can take us back to a time when we felt calm and relaxed. It may be a trip to the beach or a cruise, a park where you used to have picnics and play baseball or maybe you took a picture from the top of a high mountain. If you have a dream destination, cut out a picture from a magazine that represents where you would like to go. Keep the picture on a desk or in a drawer to look at when needed.

    Zen Sand Garden

    • Zen is the English translation for a Chinese word meaning "thought" or "meditation." A Zen sand garden is a small box filled with sand. Stones may be added to symbolize lakes or mountains. Sand gardens can be purchased online or in some department stores, but you can make your own. Concentration and meditation occurs by using a small rake to make grooves and patterns in the sand. Raking the sand and making perfect patterns is soothing and may alleviate stress and tension.

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