Tips to Handle Stress and Anxiety

Ever increasing demands and fast paced schedules are causing everyone's stress levels to escalate. And for every stressor, there seems to be a medication out there to counteract it . Unfortunately, the medications often come with side effects that can adversely affect your health. More and more people are looking for natural methods of relieving stress and anxiety. These methods are proven to help relieve stress and anxiety by using your body's natural defenses. Here are a few to try in your daily routine to see if you can naturally reduce your stress level.

Exercise - There's no denying that most adults do not get the proper amount of exercise they need on a daily basis. Vigorous exercise helps to relieve the tension that comes with a stressful lifestyle. This method will also improve your energy level as well as release endorphins to elevate your mood.

Yoga or Meditation - With the busy schedules that adults in today's world keep up with, there are times when we forget how important it is to have a little "quiet time" or time for reflection during the day. By meditating or doing some form of exercise that requires you to clear your mind, such as yoga, you give your over exerted body and mind time to focus. These types of activities allow you to concentrate on your breathing, a technique used to slow the body's heart rate and to relax. An employer I worked for a number of years ago provided yoga classes during the lunch hour. At the end of the hour, we felt healthier, calmer and ready to take on the rest of the day.

Laughter - It has been said that, "Laughter is the best medicine." We have all at one time heard that famous line, but rarely if ever do we take it to heart. Laughter is one of the best and easiest releases for endorphins that your body has. Finding humor in situations that are extremely stressful can be hard to do in the moment. But finding the time to watch a romantic comedy, or a favorite comedian's stand-up routine, and laughing the evening away will not only elevate your mood, but will also relieve stress.

Enjoy Something - It sounds so simple, but look at your day-to-day life. Do you make time for the things you truly enjoy? Something that relaxes you or takes you away from the worries of the day? Whether it is crossword puzzles, crocheting, learning a new language, riding a horse, playing with your dog, painting, or anything in between, it is important to find one thing that you love to do and try to make time to do it.

We sometimes forget what a toll stress takes on our health, as well as our social interactions. Some will shake off this advice saying "if I had that kind of time, I wouldn't be this stressed." I understand, but as difficult as it is for me to find the time with a full time job and three growing children, my outlet is playing tennis. So at least once a week, while the weather is nice, I take a lunch hour and go hit tennis balls at the park. It is probably the single most important thing that I do for myself, and by extension, everyone else who will come in contact with me.