Stress and Ways To Relieve It

Does stress affect one's behavior? It sure can! We all know it can make you unhappy and cause depression -- but did you know it can also cause anxiety, panic attacks, feelings of inadequacy, pessimism and dissatisfaction? We've all had to live with or work with someone who was irritable, irrational and hostile at some point. Most likely, that person was suffering from stress! Stress can affect your work performance -- you may be forgetful, lethargic and unable to concentrate or make decisions. Stress will also affect your home life in the same ways!

It's not always easy to get away from stress and we often have to make a special effort to relax and for the most of us, expensive spas and massages are out... but what can we do?

Here are a few tips for releasing stress:

Take the time to something you like to do, whether it's jogging, writing, knitting or reading a special book.

A long soak in a hot bath is probably the favorite, but take it a step further! Make an extra strong cup of herbal tea and pour it into your bath water. Try chamomile, peppermint or licorice. It's a very frugal way to relax and it smells heavenly, too. Moisturize your entire body afterward! Have that significant other rub some lotion on your back. Or better yet, have him/her give you a massage!

What we drink can relax us or give us energy, so think about what you're about to drink. Coffee, tea, cocoa and many soft drinks contain caffeine which can keep us from relaxing. Drink herbal or fruit teas (hot lemonade, berry teas), water, milk or juice (without extra sugar) instead. Hot drinks are generally more relaxing.

Don't overeat or drink too much of anything (even water). A lack of moderation stresses our bodies - which in turn stresses our minds.

Put on some favorite music, but not fast music or music that has an off beat. Our bodies respond to those rhythms so that our hearts beat to them. It's true, check yourself and you'll see. Go for something with a regular, slow and steady beat, no matter what the style. Sound is a very frugal way to relax.

If you don't want music, use "white noise" - something that won't irritate or stimulate, like a fan. Rain or a recording of it, works well too.

Remove any bright and/or clashing colors from your immediate vision. Colors stimulate our emotions and bodies.

Wear clothing that you enjoy. Choose the fabric especially to your liking, whether it's silk or fake fur (or tweed!). Don't wear anything that doesn't fit well or that binds or twists when you move around.

Get spiritual. Whether your thing is prayer, daydreaming or communing with trees, get into it and let your spirit calm your body.

Surround yourself with calm people, or no one at all, at least for a little while! (We know it's not possible to be around only calm people all the time!)

Lie down, or at least raise your feet. This is a mental signal to your body to slow down and relax.

Last but not least, breathe........