Stress is a feeling caused by the release of hormones in the brain, and it is completely natural. Difficult situations and emotions are often triggers for stress. When you learn to recognize the situations that lead to stress, you can learn to control them.

Being able to visualize calming imagery can help you deal with stress when it threatens to overwhelm you. Try to imagine a sensation of relaxation pulsing through your body. You could also shut your eyes and then breathe slowly while thinking about a calm scene, such as walking through a meadow or laying on the beach.

Make a list of your stressors and number them from one to ten according to the amount of stress they cause you. If at one on the scale there means only minor problems, a ten then indictaes major problems. This exercise can help you to not sweat the small stuff.

Relax your jaw so that you stop gritting your teeth. It is not unusual for your jaw to feel the brunt of the stress your body is absorbing. When you notice yourself becoming overly stressed, use your index finger to press against your jaw. Next, clench your jaw, inhale deeply and exhale deeply to release your jaw. This is an exercise to help ease stress and discomfort.

Compose an affirmation, a positive, short statement that will help to focus your coping mechanism. Say your affirmation over and over when you’re feeling stress or anxiety ,and it can help to quiet the self-critical voices in your head. Remind yourself of your qualifications or reassure yourself that you are calm. Use whatever words feel most encouraging to you.

Avoid unneeded stress by keeping your belongings in good repair. Now imagine only three things that are in need of repair, and you have tripled the energy and time required to accomplish three tasks that could have been avoided if you had taken the time to keep up with the repairs!

Music has charms to soothe our ills. Music has a strong ability to alter our moods and feelings. Studies have proven that listening to music induces calm, relaxed feelings. The key is to learn what kind of music has the best ability to soothe you, as everyone is different.

A great way to eliminate stress is to write about it. Sitting down and writing all about your problems can lift a stressful weight from your shoulders. It’s particularly effective with those sorts of stresses that you feel uncomfortable sharing with other people. Use this journal for recording present day battles with stress, and as a future reference in case you need to remind yourself how you maneuvered your way around stressful situations later.

Some of your downtime activities can actually increase your stress. Spending hours in front of the TV or playing video games in an effort to unwind deprives you of time that could be spent in pursuit healthy stress relieving activities. This time could be better spent sleeping or eating healthy meals.

Identifying what the source of your stress is, can help you to tackle and fix the problem. If the source of your stress can be banished from your life, you should strongly consider that option. Your life will be transformed!

A good stress reliever is drinking a nice cup of hot tea. There are many teas that can help relieve stress. Some of them are kava kava, chamomile, and passionflower. To get the most of the herbs in these teas, steep them for about 10 minutes. Have a cup of tea at least once a day, when you get up in the morning or before you go to bed, to help ease any stress.

Playing video games is an excellent method of relieving everyday stress. Playing games lets you focus on the act of playing, letting you clear your head of negative thoughts. You can feel better by playing a game either by yourself or with a group.

If you are busy, you might be having racing thoughts. Remember that it is essential to your well being that you take a break once in awhile. So learn to slow down and just breathe. As the day progresses, try and keep calm and avoid rushing, as this can help keep your anxiety down.

Soothing Music

Listening to soothing music can help reduce stress. We all know that music can have a therapeutic effect when we are stressed. Of course, the music must be a type that you find soothing. Be sure to select music that is suitable for your own stress relief, because the music that soothes one person may not have the same soothing effect on you. When you listen to soothing music, your breathing will deepen and your brain will be triggered to produce serotonin.

Allow yourself some time for meditation. It can relax the muscles and rest your mind. If you will meditate regularly, you will feel more relaxed going through your days. This is a good way to always stay in control of your stress, no matter what the situation is.

Another stress reducer can be the use of visual imagery. There is scientific evidence to suggest that this mental visualization really does help lower stress. Close your eyes and envision yourself relaxing under the hot sun next to a tropical pool or taking a hot, soothing bubble bath, and visualize all the stress you feel leaving your body. Just closing your eyes and spending a few seconds imagining a place of calm and relaxation should work.

You can better understand stress after reading this article. Even if you can’t apply all the suggestions outlined above, just trying one or two will make a big difference.