10 ways to beat stress

 

 

Life getting too much for you? 

 

Things feel like they're spiralling out of control? 

 

Take a tip from the Stress Management Society to beat stress 

 

and get yourself back on an even keel.

 

 

1. Avoid tea and coffee

 

Nicotine, alcohol, caffeine and refined sugar products are all stimulants, 

 

so will not calm you down. If you're stressed, steer clear of tea, coffee and 

 

cigarettes-keep yourself well-hydrated by drinking water instead or chamomile tea.

 

 

2. 'I can definitely deal with this'

 

Think up a self-affirming mantra to repeat to yourself 

 

(eg 'I deserve calm in my life', or 'I have a choice in every situation'). 

 

Repeat it to yourself whenever you feel tense.

 

 

3. Agree with others once in a while

 

Life should not be a constant battleground. , 

 

so even if you disagree with someone, avoid conflict every now and again 

 

by just agreeing or keeping quiet. 

 

They have a right to their opinion (even if they are wrong!), just as you do.

 

 

4. Listen to your body

 

When you are tired, hungry or thirsty, do something about it: rest, eat or drink.

 

 

5. Learn how to say 'no'

 

Simple, but effective. Where a 'no' is the appropriate response, say it without guilt.

 

 

6. Get organised

 

make a list of all the things that you need to do

 

list them in order of genuine importance

 

note what you need to do personally and what can be delegated

 

prioritise things that need doing immediately

 

demote tasks that can wait

 

you may find some tasks don't actually need doing at all

 

 

7. Get online

 

When stress strikes, take five and calm down if you can on a favourite website - shopping,

 

a social networking portal, 

 

Zest.co.uk

 

! 

 

Taking a short break gives you valuable cooling time 

 

and enables you to get back to the issue in hand with a fresh head.

 

 

8. And breathe it out...

 

Try this breathing exercise: 

 

Sit or stand in a relaxed position. 

 

Slowly inhale through your nose, counting to five in your head. 

 

Let the air out from your mouth, counting to eight in your head 

 

as it leaves your lungs. Repeat several times.

 

 

As you breathe, let your abdomen expand outward, 

 

rather than raising your shoulders. 

 

 

This is a more relaxed and natural way to breathe, and helps your lungs 

 

fill themselves more fully with fresh air.

 

 

Repeat a few times to release tension, or for several minutes as a form of meditation.

 

If you like, make your throat a little tighter as you exhale so the air comes out like a whisper. 

 

This type of breathing is used in some forms of yoga and can add additional tension relief.

 

 

9. Acupressure

 

You have acupressure points either side of the bridge of your nose. 

 

Rub there gently, and around your eyes.

 

 

10. Face exercises

 

Relieve tension in the face by lifting your eyebrows, then drag your fingertips -

 

pressing firmly - from your forehead to the back of your head.

 

 

Still feeling a bit stressy? 

 

You could always try the Rescue Remedy Rant Therapy support service for anyone 

 

who's feeling super-stressed, whatever the cause.

 

 

Here's how: Draft an email. 

 

Get it all down in an outpouring of anger and stress, 

 

saying exactly what you think, why it's unfair and what you think should happen.

 

 

Now instead of sending it to the rightful recipient, send it to 

 

RescueRant@nelsons.net

 

Now your rant is out of your system and your inbox, sit back and wait for some very 

 

special advice from the Zen masters themselves.