This article will give you some ideas on how to quickly and easily de-stress yourself in a stressful or panicked situation. These tips are easy to use, and will work for you immediately when you need them to the most, without anyone having to know you were even stressed!
Let's start with some basics, some of which you may have heard of before, and then we will look at some advanced techniques.
1. Take a slow, deep calming breath, in through your nose and out through your mouth (It worked for the Karate Kid, it will work for you!).
2. Count backwards either in your mind or under your breath from 10 to 1.
3. Tense up your entire body at once, make it as tense as you can, then relax
4. Smile! You would be amazed at how much tension and stress the simple act of smiling can relieve. And if you don't feel like smiling right then (which you probably won't!), fake it til you make it!
Those are some very basic, simple techniques you can use. But some situations require a little more in-depth relaxation techniques, so let's take a look at some more advanced ideas you can use.
1. If you have the time or ability, take 5 minutes to sit down, fold your arms on a desk or table and put your head down on your arms. Clear your mind and take deep focusing breaths.
2. In your mind, visualize a beautiful scenic beach, and you standing on a cliff overlooking the beach. Make it as real as possible...include the sounds of waves and seabirds and the smell of the water. Visualize a stairway leading down to the beach which has ten steps. Then imagine yourself walking down to the beach on those steps, counting one at a time backwards....10...9....8....7....6, and so on. When you reach the bottom, know that you feel relaxed and tension-free.
3. If anger is involved in the situation, you need to let go of your anger before you can even de-stress! Try writing down your angry thoughts and feelings then tear up the paper and throw it away to symbolize your letting go of those feelings.
4. If you are in a situation where it is possible to do so, find something that can take your mind off things for just a little while. If reading does that for you, find a good book...or take a hot bath, watch a movie, or whatever you need to do to give your mind a "temporary vacation".
5. Don't use alcohol or drugs to try to aleviate stress. Alcohol and drugs may seem like a good escape route, but in the end will only make things seem worse.
6. If you feel overwhelmed, focus on what you have to do in that moment. Don't let your thoughts wander to what else you have to do...just take things one step at a time.
You can use these techniques together or as separate coping mechanisms. Most of them are ones you can use even at work or when in company of others. The most important thing to focus on is your breathing...when you take long, deep cleansing breaths you are helping your body to deal with the stress.
And remember, no situation is too stressful for us to deal with, we just have to find the right way to tackle it!
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Stephanie Davies is a 27 year old Missourian with a loving husband and an 8 year old son. She currently owns and operates her own business, Mystickal Incense & More, which sells handmade candles, incense, bath & body products and other handcrafted products at http://www.mystickalincense.com
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