5 easy ways to relieve stress today

Just for a moment, think of a stressful event, perhaps an incredibly demanding day at work, a difficult customer, a super tight deadline, an argument with your partner, or your children driving you crazy. What do you do to make yourself feel better?

If the first inclination is to reach for an alcoholic beverage, or break out the ice-cream or chips, chances are you’re one of the many people who reach for comfort food or drink when life gets stressful. However, there are other ways that may serve you more positively. So, here are five, simple, stress-reducing techniques you can try today.

⏸️ Press Pause

When we’re stressed, we can get caught up in past experiences or worry about what the future holds. The best place to be is in the present, and refocusing on the here and now by practising mindfulness is key. Press pause by taking a moment to focus on your breathing. Here’s a quick breathing exercise that can help.

⁠1. Close your eyes and notice your breath. 👀 Then gently and effortlessly slightly increase the depth of your breath.⁠

2. Place your hand on your heart area and focus your thoughts there.⁠ 💓⁠

3. Think of something you are deeply grateful for, imagine breathing it in, allowing it to circulate around your body and gently breathe it out.⁠ 😮‍💨 

Keep breathing in this way for just a couple of minutes and feel the anxiety and stress melt away.

🤸 Move Your Body

Research supports the fact that exercise benefits our mental health in numerous ways, with acute benefits on mood. It doesn’t have to be high-intensity exercise either, as studies show light and moderate exercise of just 10 minutes at a time can be effective for overall mood improvement.

So, rather than sink into the couch with a glass in hand after a long day, try to reset with a short walk around the block listening to uplifting music, or try a bedtime yoga routine if you’re feeling restless.

🌳 Go Green

Studies on getting active in nature or ‘green fitness’, have demonstrated improvements in vitality, pleasure and self-esteem, and lower levels of fatigue, tension and depression.

Enjoy a bike ride, hike, outdoor Tai Chi, swim or pottering in the garden, and relish some time outdoors with the added goodness of fresh air, natural light and nature.

🧩 Make It Bite Size

Feeling overwhelmed? Forget the finish line – take the task at hand and break it down into bite size pieces. Focus only on completing each step, one at a time.

🧠 Flip Negative Self-Talk

Negative self-talk about your abilities can often creep in when you’ve had a demanding day. Interrupt the internal dialogue and flip the script by focusing on your strengths instead. Make a list of 10 things you’re really good at, and 10 things you’re truly grateful for. It helps put all your stresses back into perspective.

Next time you feel that stress or overwhelm is taking hold, try one of these techniques to help you recharge and create calm in your life.

Until next time, master your mindset, secure your success.

PS. Want more tips on how to make your life a zen-friendly zone? I’ve created free audio training which you can access by clicking here.