If you hang around long enough, you will find stress. Actually, you don’t have to look. It finds you.
Not all stress is bad stress. Stress can keep us motivated and performing.
But too much stress is not good. In fact, it is worse than not good, it can be detrimental to your health.
It is important to learn how to cope with the stresses we face, because most of us will never be able to fully avoid stress. We have to learn how to deal with it.
These suggestions are not written as someone who has figured out how to avoid all stress. Rather, this is written by someone who is still learning how to cope. Stress doesn’t have to win.
The Good Stuff
1. Take a walk. As much as anything else, and something most of us can do, walking helps to get stress worked out physically.
2. Take a nap. This may sound like a cop out, but napping helps us work more effectively. Many people don’t get enough sleep anyway, so napping helps to feel refreshed.
3. Run or workout. If walking is something everyone can do, running or working out is something more of us should do. Most Americans do not get enough exercise. If you want to get rid of stress, nothing works as well as replacing stress with endorphines. Hint: If you are over 35 you should consult a doctor before you begin serious exercise routines.
4. 
Turn off the phone. I realize this isn’t possible for most people, but for at least part of your day, say no to the tyranny of the urgent. Give the phone a rest. It’ll do you much good.
5. Know when to not check email. If you want to ruin a good night’s rest, or an evening out with that special someone, check the email just before you hit the hay, or head out the door. Nothing adds to your stress more than being psychologically transient.
1,001 Ways to Relax: An Illustrated Guide to Reducing Stress
6. Read a book. You probably work very hard. Take time to let your brain rest or at least escape the concerns that cause stress. Let
your mind get lost in a good book. You’ll be much better for it.
7. Watch a movie. See number 6 and replace movie for book.
Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows
8. Go for a swim. Swimming isn’t just for beating the heat. It’s a great means to exercise. If you have a pool accessible, and if walking or running isn’t your “cup of tea”, try swimming!
9. Bake something. This may sound crazy, but nothing quite relaxes me like making homemade brownies (if you need a good recipe for homemade brownies, just write me). Heck, you don’t even have to eat them. Give them away!
10. Volunteer. There are times when we focus so much on our situation or ourselves that we can’t get perspective, and in dealing with stressful situations, we need perspective. Nothing helps us gain perspective like helping others.
What do you do to relieve stress? Got a tip we all would benefit from? Write it in the comment section.
Images: FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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Hello
Nice post – thank you. I would like to add one tip in terms of stress relief – this one works for me. When it´s Saturday, I forget about all the “important” activities like cleaning, laundry or grocery shopping and take some time for myself. I read a book, take a walk in the park or go to the animal shelter to walk the dogs. Believe it or not, but housework can be done on some other day as well, nothing happens if you do not do it on Saturday.
Best Regards
Tina
Tina recently posted..Weekend stress relief tips
Excellent points. I actually believe doing little bits of work in short bursts through the week is easier than trying to do it all on Saturdays. Walking those dogs must be a lot fun!
One of thing things I love to do to relieve stress is to go snowboarding. Being by myself on the lift or relaxing at the top of the mountain is the best for me.
Sean @ One Smart Dollar recently posted..Personal Finance Week in Review – April 13
Wow. I totally forgot about snow boarding or skiing (I only ski). But sitting on that lift? There is nothing like it at all. Great idea!
The best is when you can get up during the middle of the week and there aren’t many people out. That’s when it’s really relaxing.
Sean @ One Smart Dollar recently posted..Personal Finance Week in Review – April 13
Get a massage from your significant other. It will definitely relax you! and it’s free
Financial Advice for Young Professionals recently posted..The Social Media Bubble: Facebook Just Bought Instagram for $1 Billion
Golf and washing my car destress me. Something about being in the sun and washing a car to make it look good is so relaxing. If I have had a really bad day I will wax it. I know Im weird!
Being in the sun gets the vitamin D pumping. I love running on sunny days. We get plenty of them. I need to consider the advantages of washing my car as a means to destress.
Nothing de-stresses me like pulling out my guitar, turning my amp up to 11, and wailing away. If you don’t play an instrument, making music with an iPhone app like Figure can be just as rewarding. Great list Thad.
That sounds like it would be fun!
This is a great article. Love all of these ideas.
And they are all doable.
Especially number 2, right?
Whenever I stretch or do Yoga it really helps my stress levels. It’s something about quiet and taking deep breathes that just calms the body.
I do a lot of what you said but another I like is having a relaxing vacation. My wife and I are different than most (assumption) because when we go on vacation we like cabins in the woods where there isn’t much around. No phones, computers, and little TV. Only quiet and the world.
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That trip to the cabins sounds like an excellent way to de-stress. We enjoy a weekend away from time to time, but not usually to the woods and a cabin!
Gee, Thad! You’ve got me so inspired. I absolutely love each and every last one of your tips for beating stress. And, I know that they all work, because I’ve applied them for many years; and still do today. Thanks for motivating me.
Anthony Thompson recently posted..Self Manager – How to Manage Your Own Anger Without Therapy
You are very gracious!
Great tips. I use a lot of them myself. Here’s what I do to relieve stress:
- Go for a walk or a run
- Turn on some relaxing music, kick back and listen without any distractions
- Read blogs or a book
- Make myself a nice hot cup of tea
Kraig @ Young, Cheap Living recently posted..10 Personal Finance Tips for Young Adults
I like every one of those tips you added! Tea? Green? Black? Herbal?
I personally like earl grey
Christopher @ This That and The MBA recently posted..Gas prices got you down?
Stosh Green Tea Chai works well for me!
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