The goal in these stress tips is to learn how to manage the stress in your life. Use the tips that you resonate with the most.

1. Deep Breathing

This is a simple yet very effective relaxation method. Regularly take deep breaths, breathing out tension and breathing in relaxation. It is a core component of all yoga, Zen meditation and spiritual practices. There are a number of very useful specific breathing techniques just to release stress from the body. Here are more breathing techniques. https://hzharris.com/all-resources/

2. Sleep

According to a National Consumers League survey, about 60 percent of people who are stressed say they don’t get enough sleep. For those of you who have difficulty falling asleep, it is very important to begin a soothing and calming bedtime routine. Take a nice, warm bath and find a light enjoyable novel to read prior to bedtime. Avoid watching action movies or the news before bedtime. Also avoid any stressful conversations prior to bedtime.

3. Warm Soothing Bath or Shower.

Use sandalwood incense and lavender oil in the bath or on your skin. Add a few candles and perhaps a good book or some classical music, and you’ll be well on your way to relaxation.

4. Reconnect with Your Spiritual Self

Reconnect with your Inner Guides, Higher Self or Inner Wisdom can help lower blood pressure. The very simple act of meditating or praying has helped many reduce stress. This may take practice to do regularly, but research has shown the benefits are tremendous.

5. Regular Exercise, Especially Walking

Exercise clears your mind and returns the body to a more healthy state. Even a 10-minute walk can decrease stress and anxiety. When you exercise, beta-endorphins (the body’s natural relaxants) are released. Endorphins counteract the stress hormones that are often raging through your body. Exercise gets your blood circulating, boosts your mood, and eases tension.

Exercise rids the body of excess energy it really can’t do anything about,” says Dr. Tara Cortes, clinical director of  primary care at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York.

Studies also show that active people have a decreased risk of coronary heart disease, the number- one cause of death in the United States.

6. Yoga

Even one yoga class a week can cut levels of the stress hormone cortisol. This is reason enough to get you to a yoga class for your refreshing and rejuvenating workout. If all you need is simple relaxation, then find a yoga class to your liking that specializes in low-key hatha yoga or one of the restorative yoga classes. There are many types of yoga from which to choose.

7. Take a Vacation

If you don’t have the time or money to plan a fabulous excursion for a week, then a quick weekend getaway might suffice. Or plan a special event near your home, perhaps a stay vacation. All that’s necessary is that you spend an extended  period of time not thinking about those stressful things, such as work, money, relationships—anything that makes you feel crazy, overwhelmed and stressed.

8. Call a Friend

Often things seem better after you talk to a really good friend. Friendship is as beneficial for your health as it is for your spirit. Researchers have found that having good friends helps lower blood pressure, relieves anxiety, and may even help you live longer. Many experts list friendship as the key factor in getting through stressful times.

9. Share Household Chores

Because you may not always get that needed acknowledgement, or pat on the back, other tactics can help. One way to get more help is to divvy up the chores. Dividing chores gets the whole family involved in running the household, says Craft-Rosenberg, the family studies professor from Iowa.

The resilience of a family is related to how well they can work together,”

she says. Even small children benefit because contributing makes them feel needed. Additionally, when others share the workload, there’s less pressure to get everything done at once.

10. Lighten or Change Your Workload

If work is creating a great deal of your stress, it might be time to talk to your boss, delegate tasks, or start looking for a new job. Keep in mind If work is making you crazy, you’re not alone. Work is the top source of stress in adults aged 18-54,  according to the National Consumers League survey. Forty-six percent say it’s a problem. In the meantime find some ways to unwind after work. Sit quietly for 10 minutes before you start your evening. Play a favorite CD while fixing dinner. Or delegate your home chores so you can relax on weeknights instead of slaving over dinner. Or you can choose to occasionally pick up something special for dinner instead.

11. Forgive Someone

Studies found that those people who forgive others tended to have lower blood pressure than their less-forgiving peers. Perhaps it’s time to give up that grudge, if only to gain health benefits. It doesn’t mean you condone what others have done. Forgiveness is about releasing the negative and toxic energy built up in your by anger and resentment that is held inside of you.

12. Reduce Caffeine Intake

Drinking three or four cups of coffee every morning does more than wake you up. The caffeine raises your blood pressure and increases secretion of adrenaline, a stress hormone. In fact, the caffeine in your coffee cup imitates and even exaggerates the body’s response to stress. The effects of caffeine last for hours after drinking it.

13. Take Twenty Minutes

Whether you’re a doctor, lawyer or an at-home mom, giving yourself time to unwind is vital for de-stressing your life. Taking 20 minutes for yourself won’t solve all of life’s problems, but it gives you a chance to feel calmer and find clarity.  Whether you need a nap, a bath, or a quiet place to look at the trees or to read a book, make sure the time is spent doing exactly what you want to do.

14. Make Love

Whether you prefer cuddling with your honey or the act itself, sex is a wonderful time-tested  stress reliever, and it’s well worth taking the time to do it. It also brings you a deeper connection and comfort with someone that really can shift your energy.

15. Join the Surviving Stress and Anxiety Online Group Healing Call

Living in these stressful times, it is important to have tools to release stress and anxiety in the moment. Part of the focus during this group healing will be for you to come away with tools you can use on your own.

Learn more and register here: https://hzharris.com/upcomingprograms/