Alleviate Stress

Stress is one of the biggest killers in life. So many health problems are attributed to it, and yet we cultivate it in our lives by abusing our bodies, minds and souls. Although we may not necessarily be able to avoid stress, we can definitely do things to alleviate stress. Practicing a few techniques will help to lower your everyday stress levels and make you a healthier, happier human being.

Instructions

1. The first thing to do to alleviate stress is to make a list of what stresses you, and systematically eliminate anything from that list that isn't necessary to your life.

2. Write yourself a positive mantra and put it in a place you see every day. Alleviating stress comes at the expense of eliminating the negative. Accentuate the positive.

3. Book a vacation for yourself. It doesn't need to be an extravagant affair, just an opportunity to get out of your everyday life and take some time for yourself. It can even be just a day to yourself, walking around a park.

4. Turn off the computer, the television and the phone. Technology, though great in many ways, has an amazing habit of adding to our stress level by giving us a million opportunities to use our time poorly. It often acts as a distraction, which can be good, but only if used in a positive way. Reading the latest dish about which celebrity is going to jail is not a positive thing, and it's a waste of your precious time.

5. Smile. It's amazing what a smile will do for your mood.

6. Pick up a good book and/or put on your favorite music and let yourself zone out every once in a while. We have this obsession with being busy, but most of the time, because we are so overloaded with things to do, we lose focus and don't get half the stuff done we say we want to do. Give yourself time to re-channel your heart and mind. Relaxation shouldn't be a chore or a luxury. There is a time and place for it, and you should carve out space every single day for at least 15 minutes of it.

7. Eat well and drink plenty of water. Yes, it's good for your body, which means it's good for your mental well-being as well. If you are eating good foods, your mind responds in kind. Sugary, caffeine-laden foods put your blood sugar on a roller coaster, affecting your mood and keeping your off-kilter. Focus instead on getting healthy, non-processed foods rich in anti-oxidants.

8. Keep a pen and notebook by your bed so that you can write down any worries or things to do that come up while you are trying to get some sleep. Get it out of your head and down on paper, and you free yourself up to relaxing.

9. Sleep. You need about 7 hours of good sleep (non-interrupted, that is) to function properly. Lack of sleep is bad for the body and the mind, and adds to your stress level.

10. Keep a journal. Ideally, write in it every morning before you do anything else. It is a great way to clear your mind of whatever is still hanging on from the night before.

11. Exercise every day in some form or another.

12. Pick up hobbies. You need to have something in your life that you utterly enjoy, but that doesn't involve a paycheck or health insurance qualifications. Find at least one positive thing that you enjoy doing and do it.

13. Keep perspective. Deadlines are important, but always think of things in the overall scheme of life.

14. Don't procrastinate. Leaving things to the last minute spikes your stress level in general. On top of that, you never know what will come up in life, and by leaving things to the last minute, you take the chance of not having the time you thought you would have.

15. Drop the negative friends. It sounds cruel, but if someone you know has a terrible outlook on life and is unwilling to try and make a change, you need to let them go.