What's the best way to relieve stress? That answer may be slightly different for everyone, but there are stress relief techniques that are generally more effective than others--and some that tend to backfire. Here you'll find strategies you can use to effectively relieve stress, and you'll also see what you may want to avoid.
Please feel free to add your own thoughts in the comments section, sign up for the free stress management newsletter for ongoing updates, and have a wonderful week!
- Best Ways To Relieve Stress
What are the best ways to relive stress for you? This self-assessment tool will allow you to answer a few questions about your lifestyle and personality, and then direct you to stress relievers that may fit best for your particular situation. It's a useful tool for those who want to begin with techniques that are most likely to work for them.
- Worst Ways To Relieve Stress
We all want to relieve stress in our lives, and there are many effective ways to do so. Certain stress relief strategies work better for certain people, and some are more effective in general. However, in the quest for stress relief, sometimes people stumble upon habits that actually cause more stress. The following are some of the least effective ways to relieve stress. Do any of them sound familiar?
- Readers' Favorite Ways To Relieve Stress
Stress relievers are important in the midst of all the economic, job-related and relationship stresses people face. And because needs are complex, it's important to know about a variety of effective stress relievers to use in the many stressful situations we all face. What are your best stress relievers? Share them here, and see what works for others! (Just no spam, please.)
- Find Stress Relief On Facebook
For more ongoing stress reduction resources delivered right to your wall, visit and "like" this page--About Stress Management. You'll find inspirational quotes with articles that address the same concepts, with some great comments from other stress-relief fans. You can also follow me on Twitter for the same great stuff!
Another option for stress relief:
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May is
National Meditation Month. I'm a big fan of meditation, both as a technique to recommend to readers and clients, and as a personal practice for stress relief, so I'm happy to publicize that meditation has its own month. But some may ask, 'Why meditation? And why nudge people into it?'
The first question is easy to answer: meditation brings many benefits for overall wellbeing: health benefits, emotional resilience, and of course, stress relief, to name a few. (See this article for more on the benefits of meditation.)
But why the nudging? Many people try meditation and aren't immediately thrilled with it. (Being honest, I fell into this category, so I can sympathize completely!) It's difficult for perfectionists who are concerned about doing it 'wrong'. It's challenging to those who lead very too-busy lives and find their 'to do lists' screaming at them from the inside after a few minutes of sitting. Some may worry that meditation conflicts in some way with their religious views. And for those who like instant results, meditation doesn't always supply the quick surge of endorphins of exercise or the obvious tension release of getting a massage--it's more subtle.
However, meditation and meditation-based techniques bring both short-term and long-term benefits that make it absolutely worth the effort to work past these hurdles. And if you're experiencing these challenges, you're not alone. In fact, very practiced meditators and beginners alike can find themselves contending with copious amounts of internal chatter; the difference is that the practiced meditators understand that this is part of the process, and don't let it create doubt or stress within them. If you think you can't meditate, think again.
So this month, why not give meditation a try? Or a second chance? (Or a third!) Read some of the articles below that are geared toward those seeking to get past their meditation roadblocks, and try a new meditation technique today. Then tell me what you think, via the 'comments' section, or post in the Facebook group. And if you find this post helpful, please pass it on via the 'share' button.
Meditation Resources:
Why Meditate?
Meditation has many wonderful benefits for health and stress relief. If you haven't read about them already, learn why the goal of regular meditation is worth every minute of practice.
Meditation For Perfectionists
Meditation can be especially difficult for perfectionists, at least at first. However, perfectionists are among those who could benefit the most from meditation, and perhaps may become some of the most committed to meditation once they master the concept. If you are a perfectionist (or if you just find meditation difficult), these meditation tips for perfectionists are for you!
FAQ: What If You Can't Meditate?
Have you tried meditation, but find yourself getting MORE stressed? Here are some alternatives and techniques to try!
Meditation Techniques to Try
Here are some different techniques to try.
5-Minute Meditation
If you only have a few minutes, here's a quick way to feel less stressed.
Share Your Thoughts:
Do you meditate? Why or why not? And, if you do, what method works best for you? Share your experiences in the 'comments' section. If you enjoyed this post, please pass it on with the 'share' button.
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To all the hard-working, big-hearted women out there who are taking good care of others, I want to wish you a very happy Mother's Day!!! If you're a mother, you're likely spending much of your time taking care of the needs of others. So today I'd like to show you some ways to take care of yourself. Here's a big, warm hug to all you fantastic moms out there, and here are some resources to give yourself the TLC you deserve:
I recently posted a quote on the
Facebook Page About Stress Management that addressed the different forms of stress we face:
- "Stress is like spice - in the right proportion it enhances the flavor of a dish. Too little produces a bland, dull meal; too much may choke you."
~Donald Tubesing
One reader voiced what I think many people would think: "LOL, I don't think any stress is good." This is a common sentiment because so many of us are experiencing too much stress--with busy lifestyles, being bored is almost a luxury that most people don't face; we're too often rushing to get everything done, multitasking to the max, and closer to the "choking" end of the stress spectrum. However, without challenges that give our lives meaning (or at least keep us busy), we do tend to get bored and even depressed. We need something to stimulate us and get us up in the morning.
That's why some level of stress--and certain types of stressors--can be a healthy thing. We call this positive form of stress "eustress," and we need just enough of it to keep us feeling excited and alive, but not so much that it gets us until the realm of chronic stress--it's a balancing act.
Sources of eustress may include roller coaster rides, vacations, promotions at work, or other events that get us excited or cause us to use new skills that we enjoy, but require adjustments nonetheless. And too much eustress can still be a negative thing because it all contributes to wear and tear on us--too much is still too much. But the right amount can be delicious.
The following resources can help you understand more about the "good" type of stress, as well as the "bad" kind, and its "ugly" consequences, and give you ideas on how to minimize the bad and maximize the good, at least enough to make your day.
Do you have a good balance with "good" stress and "bad" stress? What are the sources of "good" stress in your life? Share your thoughts in the comments here, or on the Facebook Page About Stress Management, and share this post to get a conversation started with your friends.
