Stress has an important role in daily life, it can provide mental clarity, extra energy and the impulse to avoid danger. There are many techniques to reduce stress such as yoga, regular exercise and deep breathing techniques, but most stressful situations don’t allow a person to simply pull up a mat and begin practicing yoga. The key to quick stress relief is knowing what causes stress and how to combat it at any given moment.
Many people don’t recognise the
symptoms of stress until it’s quite significant. Each person reacts to stress differently but in most cases, the muscles become tense, breathing becomes more rapid and the mind begins to race. If an individual knows which symptoms the exhibit when feeling stressed and notices when they begin, they have a better chance of dealing with the stress quickly. Recording stressors in a journal or a notebook for a short period of time is a good way to establish how a person exhibits stress signals.
Stress affects the body and mind. When the body is stressed, it builds up excess energy and adrenalin. A fast way to combat this type of stress is through physical activity. A fast paced walk around the office, vigorous housework, a run around the block and if an individual is stuck at the office, a few jumping jacks in the bathroom may do the trick.
When the mind begins to race, talking to a trusted friend, loved one or co-worker can often
quickly reduce stress. If there is nobody around to talk to, writing in a journal or notepad can calm the mind. Another technique for calming the mind is to involve it in a task such as a puzzle, counting or repeating a calming phrase or song.
Deep breathing is a technique which is simple to learn and can be done anywhere. This technique involves taking a deep breath from the abdomen for a count of 4, holding the breath for a count of 2, and slowly letting it out for a count of 6. Repeating until the person feels calmer. This technique focuses the mind and calms the body. The key to successful deep breathing is to practice the technique before it needs to be used.
Stress doesn’t need to be a downfall. Simple techniques such as deep breathing and talking to a friend can
rapidly relieve stress and stop it from building. However, if stress persists, contact a medical professional.