Is it possible to fix your stress? While everyday stress is unavoidable, there are ways to minimize its effects. Try these amazing, simple tips for relief.
How to Fix Your Stress: Simple, Quick Tips that Work
If how to fix your stress is on your to-do list, you want simple, quick, and practical techniques.
Put Things in Perspective
Is what worries you worth it? Will whatever troubles you today matter in six months or a year? If you’re like most people, it’s hard to remember what you obsessed over last year. For some, what bothers them today bears no resemblance to concerns as recent as a week ago.
What’s the difference? Briefly, it’s perspective. When you’re distanced from what causes you stress, you can put it into perspective. You can see it about life’s critical issues, such as severe medical problems, bankruptcy, and the death of a loved one.
- Put things in perspective to fix your stress.
- If it helps, keep a list of things causing you stress so you can refer to it later.
- When you review stressful experiences, note how differently you feel about them today.
Get Help to Fix Your Stress
Ask a friend, loved one, or family member to help you cope with stress that’s causing problems. Even temporary relief from physical and mental burdens helps lower stress.
- Consider timing when bringing up what causes you stress. Be respectful of others’ schedules and choose a time to talk that won’t be interrupted.
- Summarize your talking points so you get to the point quickly.
- Ask for help or suggestions to resolve stressful situations.
Reframe Negative Thoughts
Turning negativity around is challenging, yet the results are worth the effort. For every negative thought that pops into your mind, think of three positive ones instead.
Take financial stress, for example. If you constantly worry and berate yourself about your financial problems, turn your thoughts positive like this:
- I’ve learned a lot about my patterns of spending. This gives me a blueprint for improvement.
- While I’ve made mistakes with my budget, I’ve also made some smart financial choices. I can do more of this.
- There are people I trust who can give me good advice and hold me accountable. I know I can count on them, and I will listen to what they have to say.
Fix Your Stress: Use Praise, Not Self-Criticism
Self-criticism is seldom productive. On the contrary, being self-critical activates the body’s stress response. And it happens automatically. You can’t think it away. However, when you give yourself praise, not only are you supporting yourself, but you’re also helping reduce your stress.
- I am intelligent, resourceful, and open to suggestions.
- I’ve successfully overcome many challenges and can get through this stressful situation.
- When I feel most upset, I have effective techniques to fix my stress.
Do Your Best to Eliminate Loud Noises
Stress gets triggered by a loud noise. It’s hard to focus or think with a raucous din going on. See how much noise you can reduce in your immediate environment.
- You can use countermeasures when you can’t tune out noisy neighbors or traffic.
- Extra insulation, double- or triple-paned windows, heavier drapes, blinds, or shutters may offer some protection against loud noises.
- Try soothing music or sounds to calm a fretful baby or barking dog.
Enjoy Soothing Music to Fix Your Stress
On the other hand, music can stimulate the relaxation response. Research shows that music therapy is a powerful healing tool.
- Instead of letting your mind wander, listen for the best stress-reducing results.
- Be engaged and present as the music plays.
- Try nature sounds for a calming effect.
Laugh a Lot
Research shows that laughter is a powerful medicine. This form of stress-reduction therapy works by reducing stress hormones. Instead of stress, you promote optimism, hope, and joy. Use whatever makes you laugh to achieve the desired results.
- Watch TV comedies.
- Enjoy a funny movie.
- Subscribe to a jokes newsletter.
- Search for a joke of the day.
- Share funny stories and jokes with others.
Fix Your Stress: Go for a Walk
Going outside for a brisk walk is a quick and easy way to help fix your stress. While medical experts recommend about 150 minutes weekly of moderately intense exercise, even a 10-minute walk can help ratchet down stress levels.
Why does walking help lower stress? When you walk, your body releases endorphins, their natural feel-good chemicals. These help counter tense muscles and burn off the cortisol and adrenaline, the hormones causing stress.
Get Busy and Stretch
Stress causes the muscles to tense up. Stretching is an effective way to relieve muscle tension.
- It matters less which stretching technique you use than the diligent application of this stress-reducing method.
- Repeat the stretch three times.
Activate Your Body’s Relaxation Response
Relaxation is the opposite of stress. The relaxation response lowers stress hormones, slows breathing, and reduces the heart rate.
Basic Breathing Exercise
Take 10 breaths, breathing very slowly in and out. Or do boxed breathing: breathe in for a count of four, hold for four counts, and slowly exhale while you count to four. Did you know that boxed breathing is a form of deep breathing in yoga?
Imagery Exercise
Visualize a favorite place. This may be a vacation spot at a beach or enjoying activities in nature. Next, think of the sensations you feel when in that place. How does it sound, look, smell, and feel? Retain this image for three to five minutes. Notice how much more relaxed you feel afterward.
