Stress Relief Ideas

Nominal stress occurs in the lives of most people, but in situations when stress levels rise sharply and endure, the stress can lead to other problems, such as depression and heart disease. Stress can derive from job-related pressures, relationship difficulties, changing locations, or a death in a family. Many forms of stress are manageable by simple means.For people suffering advanced stress symptoms or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to physical or sexual attack, natural disasters or war, medical help is often indicated.

Counseling

• Sometimes just talking to a professional therapist helps enormously.

  If you are experiencing any form of stress that seems debilitating, or may be causing difficulties with alcohol or drug usage, one of the best things you can do is make an appointment with a counselor. Find a psychologist who specials in stress and is informed about overall well-being and leading a harmonious life. Even a few visits to talk out your concerns can be helpful.

Meditation

• Many professionals suggest sitting still and meditating to help reduce stress.

  Put on a relaxing music CD, or play a guided meditation featuring a relaxation technique. Deep breathing, visualization and other types of meditation can soothe the soul as well as the mind. De-stressing with a short meditation after work can work wonders in your mood and general experience. Sometimes just lighting a few candles, burning some incense and sitting quietly will bring rapid, calming results. Regular meditation will help you to effectively deal with many day-to-day situations that could otherwise wreak havoc.

Exercise

• Walking by the sea, alone or with loved ones, can bring quick stress relief.

  According to an article by the National Institute of Mental Health, both humans and animals benefit emotionally from exercise. Some of the best to consider are yoga, bicycling or taking a walk in a geographically beautiful setting. If you have ever walked by the seashore, remember how soothing the water, air and vistas were. Some attribute this to the presence of negative ions; others simply suggest that a change of scene and the exercise of walking or strolling can shift moods tremendously. Whatever form of exercise you choose, find reasons to laugh -- a free, easy and commonly known stress reliever.

Grow a Garden

• Taking time to smell the flowers actually helps calm people.

  While you may find comfort walking through large, formal, established gardens laden with blooms, fountains and visual stimuli, growing your own garden is an ideal way to relieve stress. The focus required is quite different than that of a 9-to-5 job, parenting or running a non-profit organization, but the rewards are multiple: exercise, fitness, the pleasure of seeing things grow and picking fresh flowers to beautify your home. Vegetable gardening yields benefits, too, both physically and at harvest time. Learn about gardening and try your hand by starting with a few small plants.