Researchers tell us that maybe as much as two-thirds of the population confesses to being stressed-out at least once a week. There is always someone or something in our lives that will bother, annoy or stress us. Some stress is good for us, yet too much is damaging to our health. In these ever changing, fast paced lives, we need to ensure we do not hold in all that stress.   Here are my 8 Quick Tips to Stop Stress for you.

1. Use breathing techniques.

There are many different ones out there and I teach everyone I work with at least one technique. Sounds simple doesn’t it yet when we focus on our breathing we are staying in the present time and place – we are not able to breathe in the past or the future!! So it keeps our minds very much on right now.

2. Go for a walk

The movement helps and noticing things around. Sometimes a fast walk is needed to release the adrenaline, sometimes a slow walk to calm bodies or breathing down. Either way this or any other exercise releases endorphins to help you feel less stressed.

3. Noticing things around us.

Using all our senses, sight, sounds, smell, touch, taste. See colours of flowers, trees or the sky; notice shapes of buildings, leaves or clouds, textures in those places too.

4. Get a drink.

(No! Not an alcoholic one!). Water is best as it keeps us hydrated and flushes out toxins. Taking a drink from a sports type bottle where you have to suck hard to get the fluid is incredibly calming (it’s what we do as babies). If you don’t fancy that then drink tea or hot chocolate or something which will help sooth you and work your senses. I drink bucket loads of peppermint tea! Do also make sure you stop and drink this not made and drunk on the go!!

5. Create a Happy Place.

If you’ve worked with me 1:1 then you are likely to have created a safe / calm / happy / peaceful place. Just bring to mind a place where you felt safe or comfortable, notice everything in that place, sights, sounds, smells. Then notice too how you feel and see if you can enhance that feeling. Think of this place whenever you need to. More detail about this is in my other blog Why You Need A Happy Place

6. Relax

Lie back into a bubble bath and notice smells, warmth or even gently have part of your head under the water so that the water muffles the sounds around you!  Alternatively take a shower and notice how each area of your body feels as the water pounds on the different body parts.

7. Listening to music

(again could be calming music or fast, heavy and upbeat). I know of someone who has a playlist on their phone called “calm music” and when she is feeling the need to calm she grabs her phone and goes for a walk with music in earplugs until she feels better.

8. Self Hypnosis.

Of course, I also use self hypnosis (well, you would expect this to be in this list somewhere!) You can record your own, ask me to record one specially for you (individual recordings done on request), get an app (there’s loads of free ones out there) or use the complementary audio you can get from my website!

You may want a way of reminding yourself what to do as none of us think clearly when upset, stressed, busy or worn out. Find what works best for you. It may be a conversation with someone, accomplishing a task or activity like cleaning or organising (which is creating a sense of control).

We have to take care of ourselves so that we reduce our stress levels, worry less and feel better. Life is for living – are we living it happily or just going through each day without really living in an enjoyable or fulfilling way?

Would you share what you do?  Let me know in the comments space below or drop me an email or pop over to share on my Facebook Page.