13 Stress Relief Techniques Anyone Can Use

Stress can be a major drain on your health. Stress not only has an impact on your mental health, it can also lead to physical symptoms. At some point, you need to learn how to deal with the stress in your life and not allow it to wear you down.

Learn how to take the time to relax each day. To get started, use the following suggestions for relaxing and letting go of stress.

 Clean Your House

Getting things in order, tidying up, and taking care of small chores are all great ways to manage your stress. Try re-organizing your kitchen, bedroom, or living room. Find new ways to keep your home in order. These small tasks will give you a welcome distraction from your stress.

Practice Yoga

Performing a yoga routine is a great way to relax. You are forced to focus on your breathing as you complete a series of yoga poses. Look for a yoga routine online or on any of the major video streaming sites. There are hundreds of free yoga routines that you could perform. Most routines are 20 to 60 minutes.

Choose a yoga routine that you can work into your daily schedule. Along with letting go of stress, yoga also provides health benefits – improving your cardiovascular health and blood circulation.

 Have a Conversation with a Friend

While spending time alone is a great way to reflect on your worries, having a friend to talk to can help you work through your stress. Whether you simply talk on the phone or meet in person, talking to a close friend or family member is sure to cheer you up. Even if you do not discuss your stress, having a conversation will help you relax for a little while.

 Draw or Doodle

Drawing and doodling is not just for kids. Take out a coloring book or a blank piece of paper and start coloring or doodling. This relaxing activity will help you forget about your stress, while you focus on using the creative side of your brain.

 Laughter is the Best Medicine

Laughter really is the best medicine. Laughing helps to release endorphins, elevating your mood. If even you force yourself to laugh, you begin to reap the benefits of laughing. When you need help laughing, put on your favorite sitcom or watch a funny movie.

 Go On a Vacation

Going on a vacation is not always a viable option, but it will allow you to forget about any work related stress for a short period. You do not need to spend a fortune to go on vacation. If you enjoy the outdoors, camping is a relatively affordable way to get away for a few days. Search for state parks in your area, so that you do not have to travel too far. Take dry or canned food with you and a couple changes of clothes. Spend a day or two hiking or visiting a nearby beach.

If you want to take a vacation somewhere further, look for airline deals and compare prices before making a purchase. A real estate agent may be able to find you addition deals, including all-inclusion packages, making it simple to plan a vacation to another country.

 Find a Hobby

Pick up a new hobby. Find something to occupy your free time, other than sitting around dwelling on your thoughts. Popular hobbies include golfing, bowling, sewing, and various craft projects.

 Watch a Movie Alone

Watching a movie provides a way to forget about your troubles for close to two hours. Pick out a comedy and watch the movie alone. When you watch a movie alone, it becomes easier to immerse yourself in the film. If you are easily distracted, consider visiting a movie theater on your own. This will force you to turn off your cellphone and focus on the movie.

 Read a Book

Get away from technology for a while by reading a book. Take out an old classic or visit your local library. Libraries provide a free option for finding new books. At some libraries, you can browse their entire catalog or request books through their website. Pick up a few books and spend a half hour to an hour per day reading. You can immerse yourself in the story and enjoy some relief from your stress.

 Watch the Birds

Bird watching is still a popular pastime. Whether you enjoy spotting and identifying different birds or simply want to watch them fly around, this is a relaxing hobby that can be performed from your own home. Sit at a window and watch the birds. Clear your mind of distractions and allow yourself to focus only on what you see outside.

 Learn How to Meditate

Meditation is an ancient practice that has practical value in modern times. Meditation will help you enter a relaxed state and free your mind of worries. The simplest form of meditation is visualization. Sit in a comfortable position, preferably across from a painting or image that you can focus on. If you do not have a wall opposite you from which you can hang a picture, you can visualize a setting – relaxing landscapes work best, whether you have a picture or you are visualizing a location.

Focus on the landscape and visualize yourself in the setting. After staring at the image for several minutes, close your eyes and recreate the setting in your mind. Picture yourself walking around the environment, smelling, touching, and listening to the setting. Allow your mind to drift, as you walk the environment. Practice this technique each day, for anywhere between fifteen and sixty minutes.

Listen to Music

Listening to music is another way to unwind. If you have a portable device, such as a cellphone or MP3 player, listen to music with your headphones. This will help you avoid any distractions.

 Keep a Journal

Keep a journal and write in it each day. Writing your thoughts out on paper gives you the time to evaluate the activities of the day and gain a better understanding of why you are feeling stressed out. Keeping a journal provides the perfect opportunity for reflection and improved mental clarity.

These simple techniques can help you relax and let go of your stress. Managing your stress levels is not only important for your mental health – relaxing your mind can help to lower your blood pressure and improve your mental clarity. Stress is something that everyone deals with occasionally. The trick is coming up with ways to manage your stress.

These are just a few examples of how you can manage your stress. Use these methods for letting go of your worries and then explore additional options for stress management.