7 Tips to Relieve Stress Now
We are always going to find ourselves in stressful situations. That’s a given.
Learning to respond differently – in a way that reduces significantly the amount of stress we experience, before, during and afterward – is key.
Here are seven simple, actionable tips to help you relieve stress in the moment. Each tip comes with a short video and a prompt – a simple thought or self-direction – to help you put the tip into action.
#1 Notice Ease
Did you know that how you pay attention to yourself and your environment has a huge impact on the amount of stress you experience?
My first tip is to shift your perspective so you consciously notice ease in and around you, rather than tension, stress and things that are going, or could go, wrong. This is a simple and powerful idea that, when practiced often, can lessen considerably the amount of stress we experience.
Learn more in the video:
Prompt: “I am free to notice ease.”
#2 Your Neck IS Free
Did you know that tension in your neck is not only a symptom of stress, but can also be a cause of stress? It’s a double-edged sword!
In tip #2, I share a way of thinking to help you let go of that tension.
Learn more in the video:
Prompt: “My neck is free.”
#3 Feel Your Power
We so often make ourselves smaller – often unconsciously. We are literally contracting our body, and this plays a significant role in how stressed we feel at any given time.
Tip #3 is about feeling your own power and taking up the space that is rightfully yours.
Learn more in the video:
Prompt: “I am free to be my full height.”
#4 Pause for Thought
Time can be a HUGE stressor. Giving yourself a moment of TIME to think – to consider how you actually want to respond in any given situation – is a gift. It’s a simple idea, but not necessarily easy to put into practice.
In Tip #4 I share suggestions to help you pause for thought and give yourself the gift of time.
Learn more in the video:
Prompt: “I have time.”
#5 Exhale
Did you know that the way you breathe in could actually cause stress?
Instead, in stress relief tip #5, I invite you to exhale.
Learn more in the video:
Prompt: “I am free to breathe out.”
#6 Smile Often
Do you know how powerful a simple smile is?
A smile has the power to relieve stress, improve your mood and productivity, help you move more freely, and more!
Tip #6 is very simple: smile and smile often!
Learn more in the video:
Prompt: “I am free to smile.”
#7 Move Your Body
Do you spend a lot of your day sitting?
That can be very stressful for the body, and impacts how stressed you feel emotionally. It’s all interconnected.
Tip #7 is about incorporating movement into your awareness of yourself, and find times to actually get up and move, along with a simple suggestion of how to do that with more ease.
Learn more in the video:
Prompt: “I am free to move.”
Bonus Tip: Constructive Rest
It would be remiss to talk about stress relief without mentioning Constructive Rest.
Constructive Rest is a fabulous way to destress AND prevent stress. It will help you build stress resilience if practiced regularly.
Watch the video:
Prompt: “I am free to rest.”
You can find lots of Constructive Rest resources on my website, including my free, 30-Day Constructive Rest Challenge.
I’ve received so much positive feedback about this program over the years. This is just one of the comments:
“I really appreciate your 30-day email series introducing Constructive Rest. I now find it critical to my mental health, as well as my physical well being. I am sure I am getting taller and more graceful, and being relaxed enough to sleep is a gift.” [Martha, USA]
If you haven’t tried it already, I can’t recommend this self-care and stress-relieving practice highly enough.
*****
Please use the space below if you have any questions or comments. As always, I’d love to hear from you.
Ease photograph © domoskanonos / 123RF Stock Photo.
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I really enjoyed reading your post. I think it is very informative. In addition, exercise is a great way to relieve tension. Not only does physical activity serve as an outlet to relieve frustration, but it also gets your muscles moving.
Great blog. It’s a very informative topic. I am glad to find it. Thanks!
Thank you very much for sharing! Very timely tips! So useful! Thank You for your precious experience. So on time! Genius!
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