Real Relaxation by Konstantin Koss

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If you are stressed, don’t feel too worried on how to deal with it; this will only aggravate your stressful situation. There are different ways of approaching coping with stress and this article will be a start of it. Read the basics and start to live in a more relaxed state.

There are a lot of ways to counter stress but we can limit them to 10. Here are ten ways on how to cope with stress:

1. Exercise regularly. Stress is an internal reaction and your body’s reaction to change. Exercise can help your body release confined stress and can make the body stronger. The best exercise to improve your body’s response to stress is aerobic. Walking exercises is a good way to start. You may also have other options of aerobic exercising like racquetball.

2. Relax. Surprisingly, it’s quicker for our mind to relax if we will learn to relax our body first. One type of relaxation is the progressive muscle relaxation wherein you will tense each of your muscle groups. You will have to hold the tension for 10 seconds and release it for the next 10 seconds. Relaxation exercises will only take 20 minutes to complete. It should be practiced once a day. You will start to feel more relaxed over time after these exercises.

3. Sleep well. Your body will be vulnerable to stress if you don’t have enough quality sleep. You may have a sleep disorder if you find it difficult to sleep every night or staying asleep. Another symptom of sleep disorder is falling asleep unexpectedly within the day or feeling exhausted the whole day.

If possible, try to sleep at the same hours each night including weekends. To have a regular sleeping schedule, begin by getting up same time each morning; change your bed time when necessary. It can be tough for the first or second week but ultimately, it will help you.

4. Laugh it up. Laughter can really release stress and it’s advisable to do it often. To cope with stress, you can start by thinking about what makes you laugh. Maybe, you’ll feel that you are wasting much time by watching “The Simpsons” each week but it’s a good therapy. You can go browsing the internet and find something that can make you laugh.

5. Make time for fun activities. This is somewhat related to the fourth tip. Give yourself leisure time. I may not be easy but it must be done. You have to decide on the regular activity that you can do leisurely.

6. Improve your diet. You may have to change your diet to cope with stress. You can start by eliminating caffeine. Caffeine is a stimulant and a drug which can cause the body to react to stress. This can lead your body to be more sensitive in life changes and you may be unable to cope with them. It can also cause panic attacks.

Alcohol may also increase panic and anxiety overtime. It may make you feel more relaxed oftentimes but over indulgence can result to an opposite effect. If you are under medication, this might not take effect if you’re drinking always. You also need to avoid another stimulant which is nicotine that produces similar effects to caffeine.

Examining what you eat, when you will eat and how much is also necessary is also needed. A healthy diet shall make you stronger. It may be hard to stick on a regular healthy diet but the benefits are astounding.

7. Create your support network. If you have anxiety disorder, 3 main types of support will help you cope with stress. One is support from people who also have this disorder. They can understand you and can give advices on how to cope with stressful situations.

The second group is the therapist. You will be assisted by a therapist on learning and coping with stress through known techniques. The therapist will listen to you during those stressful times. The third group is your family and friends. When everyone else cannot understand you, the power of support and love will always come from your immediate family and friends.

8.Change negative thinking. This should not be confused with positive thinking. You may not need to be optimistic and cheerful always and you shouldn’t always forget bad stuff. You just don’t need to feel angry all the times and put yourself down always. You cannot cope with stress if you always criticize and dislike yourself so change this thinking.

9. Manage your time. Your time management must be personalized and flexible. When you feel overwhelmed and rushed, you will be stressed eventually. To cope with stress, cut some activities out of your daily routine. Time management can also include learning new skills such as delegation, assertiveness and saying “NO”.

10. Stop being a perfectionist. Negative thoughts are somewhat related to being a perfectionist. It can be good to expect yourself to do great things but being perfect is impossible. You cannot cope with stress if you will always be perfectionist. Always remember the 2 main goals to eliminate perfectionism: 1 To learn the difference between the perfect and the best that you can do. 2. To praise yourself for each last accomplishment each day no matter how small it is.

Aside from the above steps, there are many other ways to go about coping with stress. Because stress is our response to changes, we can also begin to change some of the things that can only make us pressured and depressed. Practicing at least one technique a day is a good start for you to cope with stress and to live a stress-free life!

(Photo by Zanastardust)

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This is a very interesting and also funny video featuring dozens of good workshop excerpts of speaker and humorist Mike Moore (not to be confused with Michael “Stupid White Men” Moore) talking about the importance of humor when it comes to stress management.

This was recorded on one of his seminars on using humor and recognition to manage stress at work, at home and at play.

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I recently stumbled upon the very interesting concept of using “Feng Shui”, an ancient Chinese technique to help improve one’s life circumstances, for stress relief.

Now, I have to admit that I do not have any training in the area of Feng Shui, nor do I have any expertise in this area. That’s why, to introduce you to this topic, let’s ask someone who has.

Stress Relief Using Feng Shui

Author: Ranju Kumar

Feng Shui is an ancient art of establishing energy and a delicate balance of harmony through the things that you are surrounded with on a regular basis. Things that are commonly altered and adjusted in order to create a positive energy that stirs through the home includes interior design strategies, basic architectural design, and even landscaping.

By creating a positive flow of energy in your home, your office, and other environments that you are likely to spend your time, you can experience a more nurturing, relaxing environment. Here I will share with you a few tips on how to reduce stress using Feng Shui in your life.

Feng Shui is often associated with bringing luck and prosperity into the life of the individual that practices it. It is important to understand that a large number of benefits may occur as a natural result of Feng Shui. One of the most common benefits is luck and prosperity, but this does not just have to be related to actual finances.

Luck and prosperity can also be experienced when it comes to the overall health of an individual as well! This art utilizes certain geometric designs, life, and water to bring a delicate balance of harmony so that you may live a life with reduced stress levels. A sense of peace and calmness often surrounds the individual that focus on the art of Feng Shui.

By simply using some basic rules and principles that are customary with Feng Shui, you can create a home that will attract energy that is positive in nature. As a result of doing so, this energy will draw in positive feelings in each and every single room of the home. One of the most basic techniques used to accumulate a feeling of calm and peace in the home is the art of utilizing various colors.

Bright, bold colors are quite likely to overwhelm the mind and the body. If you are looking for stimulation, these colors are great. However, since you are looking to reduce stress in your life, you need to aim for colors that are soft, neutral, and calm. Great choices include various types of blues, browns, and even pale colors like pink. In many cases, a light gray may even prove to be suitable.

Many individuals reduce stress using Feng Shui by rearranging the furniture and decorations in their home. This is actually a common practice among many. You can create a welcoming environment by placing you furniture so that when seated you are facing the entrance to the room.

Clearing the clutter works wonders on keeping the mind calm and the body relaxed. If you are seeking to reduce stress, there are many creative measures that can be used to do so. All it takes is a basic understanding of Feng Shui, some creativity, and some time to apply what you have learned, and you will know how to reduce stress using Feng Shui!

If you burdened by every day stress, your life seems a bit overwhelming at times or your health is suffering due to stress, check out the website for simple and easy tips to making your life more peaceful.

Article Source

About the Author:
Ranju Kumar associate to ArtofPlacement, is an Award Winning Interior Designer, the president of Wind and Water,Inc. and a Feng Shui Expert. Is also the author of 20 Minute Feng Shui. The website Feng Shui Tips ranked in top 10 of google and her passion is to create a new paradigm.

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There are numerous ways on how to lessen pressures and tension. If you are already feeling the stress, this article is right for you! I have discussed here the top ten stress relievers to help you prevent the stress and to relax. Keep on reading and start living normally!

1. Breathing Exercises.

As the American Institute of Stress president Paul Rosch puts it, beating stress is just a matter of releasing yourself from that stressful situation and catching few breaths. Deep breathing is an effortless stress reliever that gives numerous benefits to the body. One of these benefits is oxygenating the blood that leads to waking up of brain, quieting of mind and relaxing of muscles. These exercises are also helpful because it can be done anytime and anywhere and can relieve you from stress very fast.

Deep breathing is very healthy since it includes not only the lungs but the diaphragm and abdomen. This pushes full oxygen exchange throughout the lungs and chest.

2. Meditation.

Meditation had long been included in the history of Hinduism and Buddhism and although it’s considered as a spiritual practice, this can also be an effective stress reliever. This stress reliever is further than deep breathing. Meditation focuses the energy of mind on a symbol, sound or comforting image; the brain enters its part of functioning similar to sleep.

The purpose is to create a deep state of tranquility and relaxation while improving your mental focus. The mental focus keeps the mind from working and thus increases the stress level. Meditation also releases certain hormones which promote health.

3. Guided Imagery.

Practice is needed to get used to guided imagery. This is a great stress reliever that relaxes the body. Some finds it easier than the yoga because it is easier for them to focus on something than on nothing. To have a more immersive experience, you can play natural sounds for your background.

4. Visualization.

This stress reliever is further than guided imagery. You may imagine yourself becoming healthier and relaxed, handling conflicts better and achieving goals. You can visualize yourself listening to waves, lying on the beach or feeling the gentle breeze and warm sun. You can also visualize an erotic fantasy and picture yourself in your happiest state.

5. Self-hypnosis.

This incorporates some of the elements of visualizations and guided imagery with more benefits. It enables a person to directly communicate to his subconscious. This improves his abilities to feel less pain, to easily give up bad habits and develop healthier ones.

6. Exercise.

A lot of people exercise to have a good physical condition and to control weight but it can also be a good stress reliever. Exercise can be an outlet for frustrations; it can give distractions for stressful situations. Exercise can also provide a lift via endorphins. Any form of exercise can help you discard stress but there are activities which alleviate tension. Ask a health care provider of an exercise program that suits your needs.

7. Progressive Muscle Relaxation.

By relaxing and tensing all the muscle groups of the body, one can relieve stress and feel more relaxed in just minutes. There’s no need for a special equipment or training. Begin by tensing the muscles of the face, grimacing for 10 seconds and completely relaxing for 10 seconds after. Repeat the steps with the neck, shoulders and so forth. Another relaxation technique is to curl your toes against your feet soles as hard as you can. Do this for 15 seconds.

For more info, see my other posts on progressive muscle relaxation.

8. Sex.

This is an excellent stress reliever and can give lots of benefits. It’s sad though that many people who have high stress levels have less sex.

9. Music.

Music therapy provides numerous benefits for people with mild to severe stress levels. The right music can actually lower stress level and relax the body and mind. Keep your music player loaded with enjoyable and relaxing music and keep it handy.

10. Yoga.

This is one of the oldest self-enhancement techniques. It incorporates the stress management techniques like meditation, breathing, movement and imagery.

There are many benefits of yoga to health. This includes increase in body awareness, relief to muscle tension, relaxation of mind and body, sharp and toned muscle and improved flexibility.

The above techniques are proven to be effective in relieving stress. People at different age groups require a certain stress reliever that fits their needs. It will always be safe to consult a doctor about your needs.

Use these stress relievers and start living worry and stress free from now on!

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Most people today experience stress in one form or another. Although stress is extremely common, there are numerous people who are unable to determine if they are experiencing it. It is highly imperative to note if we are experiencing stress so that we will be able to cut it down immediately.

Stress has a lot of negative effects to our mind and body. It has been listed as a probable cause for many ailments as it puts our immune system in a compromising state and it also hampers our daily activities as we experience stress related headaches, muscle tension and a whole lot more.

Here is a basic checklist to know if you are already experiencing stress:

• Incessant irritation. This is one the major symptoms of stress. People who are stressed out easily get annoyed and snap at almost anything with the slightest provocation or even none at all.
• Irregular sleeping patterns. As the mind is not relaxed, it is unable to induce sleep causing fatigue that adds more to the stress and irritability the next day.
• Gastrointestinal problems. Bing stressed prods the stomach to produce more acid. This can cause ulcers and hyperacidity. Sometimes Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a common symptom of stress.
• Head and Body pains. Stress can cause our muscles to tense up. If you experience frequent headaches, stress may be what is causing it.

Stress can have a big impact on our daily lives and cause us to feel so many discomfort. That’s why it should be noted early if you suffer from stress.

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It is a proven fact that breathing promotes wellness, try not breathing and you’ll probably not last too long. Seriously though, our society today is like a race. Everybody is going at a very fast pace and stress cases have increased leading to illnesses and ailments. Most people are in a rush and have had no time to relax and unwind.

Some down time each day can help so much in decreasing bouts with stress, the leading cause of nervous breakdowns and depression. What you need to do is learn how to breathe properly and to just stop what you are doing, relax and take deep breaths periodically every day. By doing so, you will be able to avoid stress and promote wellness.

• Learn how to breathe using your lower lungs. Breathing comes naturally, but, most people breathe using their upper longs. When we were born, we first used our lower lungs to breath, that’s why when you look at infants, when they breathe, you will see that their bellies are the ones that expand when they inhale.

Using our lower lungs allows us to take in more air, thus letting in more oxygen to be delivered to our organs, especially the brain.

• Do not rush your intake and exhalation. Inhale deeply and allow the air to fill in your lungs. As you continue to do so, there will be more oxygen delivered to your heart, muscles and brain allowing it to relax.

Do this as many times as you can each day for about five minutes or so.

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Stress can come from anywhere. Most people think that stress comes mostly from the pressure we get from work. But that’s only because that’s what we do all day and the challenges and failures we experience is what causes our daily headaches. It’s imperative though to know that stress can even come from home, your solace for the day.

Promoting wellness by removing stress in your life is one of the most effective methods in getting a happier life. Doing so would require you to examine four aspects in your life, all of which greatly affects your mental wellness.

1) Health

Your physical aspect can give you a lot to worry about. Illnesses, pains, and ailments can cause a lot of stress to a person. Obesity can also become another source. If you are ashamed of your body, then you are alienating yourself from everybody. Try to get some exercise and develop a good eating habit to remove these physical problems.

2) Relationship

Your relationship with the people around you can cause damaging effects to your mental wellness. Being around people that can cause you emotional pain will promote stress rapidly. Surround yourself with people that you love and maintain a good relationship with them.

3) Finances

All of us need money. There is great pressure to earn well to maintain a good life. We need money to meet our daily needs. Failure to do so causes a lot of stress to a person.

4) Habitat

The place we live in is also another factor that can stress us out. Bad neighborhoods can raise concerns on our safety and etcetera.

->For a more in-depth analysis of the various causes of stress, go read my popular stress causes article

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When PMS rears its ugly head that time of the month, husbands usually cower and head for the hills. What they don’t know is that this is most probably the time when their wives need them the most. PMS causes a lot of stress to women, not only physically, but also emotionally and mentally. But, with some stress management, you can greatly reduce all those stresses and feel a whole lot better.

Here are some steps women can take to alleviate PMS related stress:

• Most women complain of feeling exhausted during their menstrual period, so getting an extra hour or two in your sleep can greatly reduce the feeling of exhaustion.
• Our mind is a very powerful tool, by listening to music you will be able to sooth yourself and feel more relaxed. The power of suggestion can greatly help in an overall feeling of wellness.
• Get a massage. This can help in soothing the body pains most women experience during their menstrual cycle.
• Aromatherapy can help our senses achieve a more relaxed state. This natural remedy has been used for centuries and has been proven to be effective.
• Work up a sweat. Some simple exercises and spending some time in a sauna can help you drive out stress.
• Take deep breaths. Breathing exercises can help calm you down.

Most importantly, take a breather. Rest whenever you can and be surrounded with positive things. Having more fun is the key to driving PMS related stress away.

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Do you want to know how to avoid THIS:

Learning to relax in the workplace begins right here. I admit, the above was a rhetoric question. What you just saw was the exact reason why I am blogging day in and day out. If you see yourself in that video, you might want to read:

• The Top 10 Tips to Relax in the Workplace

• Understanding Stress in the Workplace

• Get Rid of Stress in the Workplace

Office stress, be gone!

Konstantin Koss

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When looking around the blogosphere this week I saw quite a few posts on stress relief being published. I’d like to share some good finds with you:

This Weeks Featured Posts on Stress Relief:

• Stress Relief benefits of product AbsoluteCalm
- I believed stress can really hinder the person’s clear mind to make a decision clearly. As a dear friend, I decided to look in to some sort of supplement that can help my close friend. I surely care about her and I don’t want her to …
• Aromatherapy for Stress Relief
- Aromatherapy for natural Stress relief involves the use of fragrances of essential oils to combat Stress and Tension. It is one of the fast and upcoming ways to relieve Stress that has found favor among many. …
• Feel Under Stress? Easy Relaxation Tips For Stress Relief
- Learning the basics of relaxation for stress relief is not difficult if you practice regularly. There are several key skills that are common to almost all relaxation methods. These are:. Learn To Notice Physical Signs Of Tension …
• Relaxation Techniques For Daily Stress Relief
- Is your life filled with anxiety and stress? Does the thought of feeling calm and peaceful as you go about your …

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