5 Handy Stress Relievers
Don’t worry. Be happy.
by Edna Chan
CLOSE YOUR EYES AND MEDITATE
Anyone can easily meditate almost anywhere at anytime. Sit quietly and comfortably, close your eyes, then start relaxing the muscles from your foot up, focusing on your breathing. Doing this for ten to twenty minutes slows your heart rate and breathing and normalizes your blood pressure, giving you a sense of calm, peace and emotional stability.
WATCH CARTOONS & LAUGH LIKE A KID
Research shows that laughing is a very effective way to relieve stress, not only does it lighten you mentally, it also stimulates your organs and reduces the level of stress hormones like adrenaline, soothing tension and leaving muscles more relaxed.
SING ALONG WITH YOUR FAVORITE SONG
Don’t hold back, you know it feels good! Singing aloud brings fresh oxygen into your lungs that energizes and stimulates your brain, counteracting the stress hormones that have been festering inside you during those long working hours.
LISTEN TO SOOTHING MUSIC/NATURE SOUNDS
These calm sounds neutralize the traffic noises that you’re drowning in and the quiet gives you peace of mind. Listening to music and song can accelerate the natural healing process. Song is powerful because it is a language that we understand intuitively. You don’t have to involve your mind to comprehend the beauty of a song, so conscious thought dissipates and the body relaxes.
TAKE A BREAK FROM WHAT YOU’RE DOING
When you’re feeling overwhelmed, just sit back, put your feet up and temporarily take your mind off the things you are working on. These short breaks let you empty your mind of stressful thoughts and step out of your fast-moving environment. When your mind isn’t consciously thinking, it spends time unconsciously storing information and making connections. A short break, nap or meditation.
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