6 Steps to Less Stress

Someone asked for our top tips for reducing stress - here is the condensed version:

Breathe: 10 to 30 minutes a day of breathing exercises will kick in your parasympathetic nervous system and send positive signals and hormones and chemicals through your body to relax you

Relax your body: Take time out to just relax. Whether it structured relaxation techniques which have similar value as breathing, or stop and do nothing, your body needs a rest..

Eat Properly: Under stress people tend to eat too much, and junk,..or skip eating…either way is no good. Eat your meals and healthy snacks to keep your mind and body functioning clearly

Ask for what you want: Stress is often created from not getting your needs met – speak up and ask for what you need – with your colleagues, manager and loved ones. Setting limits professionally and making difficult requests will help you Reduces Stress by
• Helping you feel powerful
• Get what you want / need
• Build mutual beneficial relationships

Think Clearly – Our mind has a way of creating stress – you will feel and experience the stress of a deadline whether there is actually limited time to get a task done or whether you just THINK there is limited time. Reflect on your thinking patterns – challenge and replace the ones you see are not based on facts, or on facts that are no longer true about you, others and the world.

Humor & Happiness – Make the time to laugh everyday and do things you enjoy. Joy is the perfect antidote to stress. Even if it is just 5 minutes a day just for you – watch a funny show, play a game, pray, take a walk with a friend – it will do wonders. If you are completely stressed out, take time to make sure your life is built on what makes you happy.

Exercise – The ultimate stress killer: endorphins. Exercise to prevent and reduce stress.