10 Relaxation Techniques To Reduce Stress
Working can often be stressful for many different reasons. You may have changed jobs or find the workload is building up. Even the daily commute can make your blood boil at times. Allowing stress to build up is harmful to your health, which is why you need to relax. Here are ten techniques to reduce stress.
Breathe Deeply
Breathe in slowly and deeply through your nose, count to five and then breathe out through your mouth. Do this for three to five minutes.
Hold Hands
Stretch your arms out and put them behind your back as far as they will go. Then breathe slowly in and out. With your arms behind your back, this enables you to open up and fill your lungs with air.
Zen Mindfulness
This can be done anywhere and for any length of time. You can sit upright or cross-legged with your dominant hand, usually the right hand, palm up and holding your other hand which is also faced palm up. Shut or half close your eyes and clear your mind. Concentrate on your breathing by counting each inhalation and exhalation up to ten and then start again.
Colouring in
Colour in mandalas which are circular symbols in Hinduism and Buddhism. This repetitive colouring in is very relaxing.
Take Five Minutes Out
Try not to think of too many things at once. Take five minutes to be aware of the moment you are in. If you are walking, feel the sun on your face. If you are eating, enjoy the taste and texture of each mouthful of food.
Sharing Problems
If you are a member of a networking group or social media group, share what is going on with other people. Someone may come up with a new perspective on your problems which can help you.
Laugh Out Loud
Laughter yoga has been around for centuries but you can just enjoy a good belly laugh. It lightens the load, lowers stress levels and releases endorphins in your brain to help your mood. So dig out our favourite TV comedy or read a comic to make you laugh out loud.
Get Dancing
Music and movement are real stress busters. Make sure that you put on some really upbeat tunes and dance around the room.
Wrap up Warm
Place a warm heat wrap around your neck and shoulders, close your eyes and relax. After ten minutes, take off the wrap and then use a tennis ball to massage away the tension in your back or neck. Place the ball between your back and a wall, lean on the ball and apply gentle pressure for 15 seconds. Move the ball to another spot and apply pressure again.
Invest in a Stress Ball
These stress balls come in all different shapes and sizes. Some will even change colour from the heat of your hand. Just clear your mind and squish those stress balls. You will feel the stress leaving you. These are small enough to fit in your bag or pocket, so you can de-stress and relax with a stress ball at any time.