Have you noticed that when you feel tense all the time your body reacts in many different ways?
Your muscles become sore and tight, you feel tired and you become moody. These physical and mental changes can wreck havoc on your life. If this sounds like you then it’s time to find simple ways to relax and relieve stress.
Having a tense body is due to stress and to cope with stress you need to understand what stress is first. There is actually a ton of ongoing debates about what stress is and how to define it.
The common understanding is that stress is a feeling or experience a person feels when they are asked to perform certain things and feel that they don’t have enough resources to do so.
This is actually very true if you think about it. When you have lots of time to get something done you enjoy the activity and have no worries. The minute you start thinking that you cannot get everything accomplished then the stress factor comes into play. You start worrying, your body starts tensing up and your enjoyment levels immediately drop. This could also feel even worse during busier times of the year such as the holidays.
Stress affects people in different ways and no two people will deal with their stress in exactly the same way. For some people they will begin to drink alcohol or smoke heavily, or they might start to use drugs instead. Other people may just become withdrawn while others will become loud and abusive.
Your first step is to understand that you are experiencing the normal signs of stress. Your second step is to find simple ways on how to deal with this. One of the easiest things to do is to teach yourself how to relax.
Learning how to relax your body can be done in a few simple ways. One of the best ways is to just learn how to breathe correctly. This involves learning deep breathing techniques which you can perform anywhere. The minute you start to feel stressed out you start performing your exercises.
Another method is to make time for yourself. This can include removing yourself from the situation for a few minutes or taking a ten minute walk. Even taking the time to listen to some relaxing music is a good idea and one that can be done at most workplaces. You can easily download some music to your MP3 player and listen to them as necessary.
By listening to your body and relaxing you can begin to reduce your stress levels and avoid any health complications that can be caused by too much stress.
Would you like to discover a simple 3 step plan to relieve stress and boost your energy?
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Laurie Seymour
19 Aug 2015Yay for making (and taking) time for yourself! Especially now, when I am very focused on completing a series of things for launching a new program (and website), I have a tendendancy to put time for me on the back burner. Nothing works very well when I do that! I have so much more to give to my projects when I create space for what brings me joy.
Kellie
19 Aug 2015Been taking this very seriously lately, as I am busier than ever. I realize how much better I do when I take time to relax and live in the moment. Thanks for this reminder to take care of me!
Tina Games
20 Aug 2015Thank you for reminding me about the power of breathwork! There’s nothing like a good, deep breath to release bottled-up tension. ~ And a good, long walk is another great way to relieve stress. I always enjoy my daily walks in nature. It’s a wonderful way to clear my head and my energetic space – and prepare for the day ahead with positive intentions.
Lisa Hutchison
20 Aug 2015Yes, stress is all about how we think about it, which then our body listens to and responds in kind. Luckily, the breath is simple and effective stress management that you can do anywhere, anytime. Great Reminder Josee! xx
Tae
20 Aug 2015Thanks for the reminder Josee! Stress is so destructive to the body. Whenever I feel myself getting tense & my belly getting bloated with air, I stop and sit quietly with my eyes closed and practice deep breathing. I roll my shoulders up, back & down several times to relieve the tension & instantly feel better. :-)
Bonnie Nussbaum
20 Aug 2015I, too, think breathing is one of the simplest and most accessible ways to move feelings through. And it can be taught to almost anyone. And, I’m with Tina in that nature is a huge stress reducer for me.
Patricia Young
20 Aug 2015Great blog postJosee! so true, stress affects people in different ways and no two people will deal with their stress in exactly the same way. It’s so important to be aware on how stress affects us so we can start being proactive as soon as we start feeling the signs/symptoms. Love your tips! Thanks for sharing!
Kailean Welsh
24 Aug 2015We all have our unique coping mechanism, don’t we, but many of them are not really helpful and add to the stress level over time. For many years I was someone who had to be busy all the time, and I felt guilty if I slowed down, or was unproductive. I am so grateful that I have since learned to play and to relax. With that I breathe deeper, release stress, have more fun, increase joy…..and I believe actually accomplish more! Great post!