Stress impacts every aspect of our life.

Some stress is good and gives us that extra push to accomplish goals and stay motivated.Unfortunately, long term stress can have serious effects on our health.

However, stress doesn’t have to get the best of us. Below are 20 simple and easy ways to reduce your stress levels.

1. Think positively.

This act alone can help you handle stress. Remember, our thoughts have a big impact on our physical health.

2. Get regular exercise.

All activity is a natural stress reducer and it helps to use up those accumulated stress products that our body produces from staying in a constant flight or fight pattern.

3. Know your limits and learn to say no when necessary.

Knowing your limitations will help you keep things in perspective and allow you to distribute your time appropriately.

4. Make a list of things you need or want to help organize your life.

Disorganization leads to unnecessary stress and takes up valuable time that you could spend on yourself.

5. Practice relaxation techniques, such as meditation.

Just 10 minutes in the morning can put you in the right mind frame for the rest of the day.

6. Ask for help and delegate tasks before you feel overwhelmed.

Despite what society says, it is okay to ask for help. Delegating tasks accordingly will allow things to get done faster and much more efficiently.

7. Read a funny book or see a comedy.

Laughter makes stress disappear. It really is the best medicine.

8. Find time to spend with your favorite person.

We all need down time with friends. Mark it on your calendar and make it a regular date.

9. Figure out which activities cause stress and eliminate them if possible.

If not, find new ways to approach them. This goes for people too. If someone in your life is constantly negative or causing you undue stress, you may need to eliminate them from your social circle.

10. Avoid reliving past mistakes.

Accept mistakes as life lessons and move on. There’s no point in beating yourself up over something that is already done. We can’t change what’s already been done so learn from past mistakes and then move forward.

11. Eat a well-balanced diet.

Health starts from the inside out. The body is more equipped to handle stressful situations when it is well nourished. Simple carbs and excess sugars sends us on a roller coaster ride and creates an unhealthy cycle that prevents the body from working at optimal levels.

12. Talk to a trusted friend about your worries.

This can help put things into perspective. And sometimes all we need is to be able to voice our concerns. Things usually don’t seem so bad once we put them into words.

13. Take time every day just for you.

Even 10 minutes a day can make a huge difference in how you feel. And the better you feel, the better you are able to handle whatever life throws at you.

14. Learn to be flexible.

Sometimes we just have to roll with the punches and follow where life takes us. Remember, things that are rigid often break.

15. Pamper yourself by getting a massage.

Massage helps to relax the muscles and causes the body to release feel good endorphins. And it just plain feels good!

16. Try acupuncture.

Acupuncture has been shown to break the cycle of stress by activating our parasympathetic nervous system and bringing the body back into balance.

17. Take a vacation.

Everybody needs to get away at times. Clear your weekend and indulge yourself.

18. Get a good night’s sleep.

When we sleep, our body heals. It’s that simple. When we don’t get enough sleep, our body is unable to process the stresses of the day and we set ourselves up for failure before the day even begins.

19. Find a local yoga class.

Yoga combines physical exercise and mental relaxation with breathing techniques. It combines a well-balanced routine that offers tremendous benefits in a short amount of time.

20. Just breathe.

When we become stressed, our breathing tends to become very shallow. So the next time you notice yourself becoming stressed, take a moment and take a deep breath. In fact, why not try it right now.

Inhale… Exhale… Inhale… Exhale… Inhale… Exhale…

Constant stress can be detrimental to your health if left unchecked. So the next time you feel overwhelmed and stressed out, take a few minutes to think about how you can incorporate some of these techniques in your daily life. If you feel stressed on a regular basis, please contact your primary care provider or your local acupuncturist to find out more ways to help combat this problem. If work stress is bringing you down, check out my article 10 Tips For Dealing With Work Day Stress.

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Editor: Brianna Bemel

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