4. Breathe deeply. Deep breathing can temporarily lower blood pressure and increase your sense of well-being.
5. Close your eyes. With your eyes closed, it's easy to allow your imagination to wander to a happy place. Give yourself a needed break by imagining yourself at the beach or in another peaceful setting.
6. Relax your muscles one at a time. Take a moment to flex and relax each muscle individually. Start at one end of your body and move to the other.
7. Take a walk. A walk takes you out of your stressful environment. You can clear your head and get a little exercise at the same time. Make a nightly walk part of your routine. A walk during your lunch hour can be helpful, too.
8. Unplug. Leave the TV off. Put your phone on silent and stick it in the drawer. Keep your laptop closed. Spend an evening without any electronic devices. Consider an evening spent with a good book and a glass of wine. A fire wouldn't be a bad idea.
9. Get some extra sleep. Limit your caffeine late in the afternoon and head to bed an hour early. Ensure that you won't be disturbed. Turn your alarm clock around so you can't see the time. A mid-day nap can also be a great way to reduce stress. If you're fortunate enough to have the option of sleeping for 30 minutes in the middle of the day, consider yourself lucky.
10. Engage in positive self-talk. You stress yourself with your thoughts and the words you say to yourself. Choose uplifting words and you'll feel better. How would you reassure a child that's stressed? Talk to yourself in the same manner.
Stress is a part of life. It can't be avoided, but how much you suffer is under your control. Add a few stress-busting tips to your psychological tool belt. Use them whenever you start to feel stressed. The best time to address stress is in the early stages. The quick application of an effective technique can increase your happiness and productivity.