Basic Stress Management Techniques

Stress accumulates in our bodies and may cause physical ailments in the future. Nearly 70% of all health issues are related to stress. Stress also damages our mental health and creates a panicky feeling that can damage our relationships with others or make it more difficult to focus on our goals. We can manage our stress and its harmful effects through stress management techniques.

There are differences between immediate stress and chronic stress. Stressful situations such as being embarrassed or threatened dissipate in a reasonable time and do not cause us long-term harm. However, the majority of stress we deal with is low level and chronic by nature. Therefore as we commute through heavy traffic, get a poor work appraisal, argue with our spouse and pay our bills this stress adds up and can cause serious harm.

Stress management is a term used to denote the process of giving stress an outlet instead of letting it accumulate. Stress management means that we implement within our lifestyle those actions and habits that are likely to reduce the overall feelings of being overworked, pressed for time and tired.

Stress Management Techniques:

1.) Exercise: Exercising 30 minutes three times a week in cardiovascular work outs will help reduce stress. Our muscles tighten and then relax which helps to reduce the overall feelings of stress. For example stress restricts blood vessels but exercise loosens them and strengthens the heart muscles. The benefits of exercise are psychological and physiological.

2.) Eating Healthy: You might be busy so you gobble down fast food and eat on the go. The problem is that unhealthy foods help you to feel fatigued because you are not getting enough nutrition and this in turn affects your thought processes. If you aren't at the top of your game when busy you are going to feel even more stress. In addition, poor food choices compound the negative health effects of stress by causing further physical breakdown.