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Stress Relief Tactics
Ever been in a stressful situation that leaves you anxious, worried, angry, or frustrated? Have you ever been on the receiving end of somebody else’s bad day and had to encounter hurtful actions or words but still needed to go on with your own work or responsibilities? Catering to these actions is not always a pleasurable experience, and oftentimes you are left in a state of stress with little time to respond, react, or even catch your breath.
Understand that stress in a negative sense is a mentally or emotionally disruptive or upsetting condition occurring in response to adverse external influences; it is capable of affecting physical health- usually characterized by increased heart rate, a rise in blood pressure, muscular tension, irritability, and in some cases depression. It can affect the body physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. These factors can impact our personal lives, careers, hobbies, and extracurricular activities, plus create a lot of tension within many of our relationships.
The good news is there are a few simple strategies to employ if the unfortunate “Grinch” seeps itself into your otherwise pleasant day. By taking just a few moments to catch your breath, mentally refresh, or do a few simple mini-stress workouts (see our samples below) you will discover your mind-set greatly improves and the return to your activities will be just as rewarding the second time through.
TACTICS FOR COPING:
- Change the environment if possible- quiet, no distractions, soft music, and some dim lighting. By creating this relaxed ambiance your body will release tension and let go of anxiety. Use candles or other smells to enhance the experience (lavender is excellent!)
- Change your mind set- quieting the mind, curbing negative self-talk, gossip or the urge to retaliate, focus inward on breathing and heart beat. Close your eyes and actively relax all muscles from head to toe
- Change your breathing patterns- take deep, long, meaningful breaths. Count to 4 as you inhale slowly, but exhale longer (about 6-8 counts) to increase relaxation effects. Place one hand on the abdomen and one hand on the chest and feel the breath lift the body on the inhales, but soften the body with the exhales
- Try some physical movements- yoga inspired stretching (see below), which open the chest, twist the spine, and help relieve tension in areas of chronic tightness usually encountered by stress. Common areas are the neck, upper back, lower back, hips and shoulders
TIME PERMITTING TRY ONE OF OUR SAMPLE STRESS WORKOUTS
5 minutes or less- change your environment as much as you can, begin releasing attachment to the situation that caused the stress. Sit upright or lie down, and close your eyes. Use slow, deep breathing and actively release tension in the face, neck, and jaw.
Make it a Healthy Day
By Amy Bomar
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