3 Surefire Stress Busters
Feeling stressed out and frazzled? Don't know what to do about it? Hold on! Here are three ways to relax and regroup in 30 minutes or less.
Feeling more frazzled and stressed lately? A little anxiety and stress is a normal and healthy part of life. But these days, our fast-paced, 24/7 way of life can lead to unhealthy levels of anxiety and angst. When your stress levels get to the boiling over point, here are three fun ways to de-stress and de-frazzle yourself instantly.
1. Laugh at yourself.
Go ahead and laugh! Not only is it fun, it will also reduce your stress levels, among other positives. Laughter has the scientifically-proven ability to make you feel more relaxed both mentally and physically. One way to use laughter and humor to diffuse an intensely stressful situation, such as a "really, really bad day," is to simply see the humor in it. Just putting a smile on your face, even if you have to force it, can help too. It may improve your mood and may subtly change the negative attitudes of the people around you, too. Just like a yawn, a smile can prove to be contagious.
2. Unplug yourself.
Cell phones, TVs, computers and text messages...oh my! Humans weren't designed for the 24/7 distractions, disruptions and demands that we now face. While it certainly can be exciting to have a busy, always-on schedule, it can easily become overwhelming and make you feel out of control. You can take back that control by allowing yourself to stop responding to all these demands and spend some time in a quiet place. It will give your body and mind a chance to reset themselves. Take a hot bath, flip through a magazine or stretch out on a hammock, sipping a glass of Florida's Natural orange juice.
3. Take a meditation walk.
Combining a walk with meditation is quick and extra healthy way to relax. It also can be used in any setting, whether you are in a metropolitan area, on the beach or even in a mall. Here's what to do: First, make sure your pace is on the slower side--this isn't a race! Then, calm yourself by focusing on one small thing, such as the movement of your legs or feet. Break down the movements that they make and note them in your mind again and again, repeating action words in your mind such as lifting, moving and placing as you lift each foot, move your leg forward and place your foot on the ground.


