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Techniques for Preventing & Managing Stress

People experience stress, whether from a major event like divorce, or work-related stress. Whatever the cause, stress can actually speed up your heart, according to WebMD. Stress can lead to health problems such as headaches, stomach pain and back pain. Some people smoke to reduce stress, while others may eat more. These methods don't work to relieve the stress overall, they just give you a feeling of relief for the moment. There are, however, healthy ways to manage stress.

  1. Exercise

    • Exercise is one of the best ways to manage stress, so make time every day for exercise. According to the Mayo Clinic, it "helps to bump up the production of your brain's feel-good neurotransmitters, called endorphins." It also can improve your mood and self-confidence and helps you to sleep better, which is vital to the body's overall functioning. You can start by walking three to four days a week for around 30 minutes.

    Deep Breathing

    • Deep breathing is a good way to alleviate stresses. Stress causes people to breathe faster and get less oxygen into the bloodstream. Deep breathing will slow down the heart rate and help you relax. You can do this simple technique at any time. Just take a moment and breathe in through your nose for 10 seconds and breathe out through your mouth for around 10 seconds.

    Think Positive

    • Positive thinking is important to your mental health. Take a moment and look around you. Think about the positive things in your life. Think about your children or your spouse and reflect on the ways these people have made your life better. The Mayo Clinic states that positive thinking can result in people living longer and having lower rates of depression.

    Express Your Feelings

    • You need an outlet to release your feelings. If possible, speak to a friend or family member. Bottled-up emotions can lead to more stress and frustration, so let it out. You can also try writing your thoughts in a journal. This is a good way to express yourself without the fear of other people judging you.

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