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Stress.
It should have been a four letter word because that is the kind of emotion it illicits when someone says it. Stress wreaks havoc on our physical, emotional and spiritual well being.
It is safe to say that we all know that we should try to manage our stress levels, but we may not always know how. Besides medication, there are simple, everyday techniques we can use to reduce or even eliminate stress. If done effectively we'll probably never need the medication.
The first thing to remember, when finding a way to handle stress that is "just right" for you, is that it needs to be something that enables you to relax. This doesn't necessarily mean sitting in a lotus position and chanting, although if that works for you, you should go for it. Some people unwind and relax while participating in sports. When we think of relaxing sports we often think of golf or swimming. But some people find a good game of basketball helps them relax. Usually what helps a person unwind is something that takes them away from the ordinary of their everyday routine. If you sit behind a desk you may look forward to physical activity. If you pave roads all day you might just want to light some candles and soak in a tub.
Other than some of these obvious stress busters, let's take a look at some of the new forms of stress relief that are becoming more and more popular and recommended by doctors.
Affirmations: Affirmations are positive statements you tell yourself. They can boost your self-esteem and confidence levels. When you find yourself thinking negative thoughts about an area of your life, you can create your own affirmation. Simply choose what goal you would like to achieve in that situation, such as losing weight, and write an affirmation as if you have already achieved your goal, such as, "I have a slim and vibrant body".
Journaling: Journal writing helps you deal with your thoughts and feelings, negative or otherwise, by putting them down on paper. You can let things out of your system that you may not be ready to tell another person, and once said, even on paper, it brings with it a sense of release and renewal.
Plant therapy: Whether watering, transplanting or pruning plants, studies have shown plant therapy to be a stress reducing activity. Plants take peoples' minds off their troubles as they focus on another living thing that needs their attention.
Snuggling: We all love to snuggle, and if you're feeling stressed out you should do it more often. Studies show that when people take time to snuggle, whether another person or a pet, their bodies release tension and their minds begin to relax as they enjoy the comfort of a close companion.
If you begin to feel particularly stressed out, you can easily do any of the things above to calm yourself. Water a plant, write it down, talk to yourself in a positive way, grab someone and give them a hug. Everytime you do any of them you'll be doing great things for your health, and if you give a hug, you'll be doing great things for someone else's health, too.
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