How do you reduce stress?

Question

I feel like I'm constantly stressing about something and I don't know how to relax or calm down. People even my parents tell me i stress too much, yet i just don't know what i can really do. Escpecially is I'm stressed about something thats coming up or something. Anyone know how i can not stress over so many things? I've heard exercise and eating right helps but i really don't see how it does.

Answer 1

There are many ways to reduce stress. Sometimes, if you only have a short time, taking 10 deep breaths can calm you down. If you have more time, yoga and meditation can help.

Answer 2

Stress and anxiety can be seen as excess energy. Depending on what I'm feeling I exercise accordingly. For example if I'm feeling a lot of anger I might do kickboxing, if I'm feeling physical symptoms such as knots in my neck I might do some yoga, if it's just general stress I do aerobics. It helps because it releases endorphins which are feel good chemicals in the brain. If I have something I really need to think about I might take a walk, alone.
If you have panicky stress you might try getting your mind off of things by taking deep breaths or reciting a poem you know or counting backward by 3's. It just stops your mind from ruminating and gets it thinking about something else so you can relax a little.
Be sure you eat enough and get enough sleep too. Good luck to you.

Answer 3

I was the exact same way (still am really). I stress over nothing and everything. I get worked up to a point where I start hyperventallating. That was more recent. But, I know why. When I was in college I went in for a depression screening. After I took their test they wanted me to go back for a more in depth screening for depression AND anxiety. I'm not saying you're depressed though. But, to me, it sounds like you have an anxiety problem and if you don't get help for it you'll turn out more like me. Zoloft is commonly used for anxiety problems (if you actually have the problem you won't become addicted or even notice it affecting your life other than you're more calm).

I would probably see a doctor in your case though. Always want to be checked out by professionals so that you aren't misdiagnosed and taking the wrong thing. But, if you are stressing over every little thing coming up or happening around you and you can't calm down, it sounds like anxiety to me.

Answer 4

The first thing you need to do is stop and realize there are only a certain number of things you are in control of. Those are the ONLY things you need to worry about. It's OK to plan for future events, but beyond that there is nothing you can do. What will be will be.

I don't know if exercise and eating right will help, but it could give you something else to concentrate on rather than stressing out about things you can't control.

Stressing out causes grey hair, and wrinkles, and you DON'T want to get visited by THOSE any earlier than necessary.


The Serenity Prayer:

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.

--Reinhold Niebuhr

Answer 5

The reason people say exercise and eating right helps is because it helps you develop a routine. Developing a routine is a good way to lower stress. Stress usually occurs when we are worried about something. Keeping yourself in a routine can help you keep the elements of your life in control so you won't be so worried all the time.

Another very important thing to consider is to schedule some time for yourself into your routine. Time where you can do anything you want except stress. Time to just relax and do whatever you enjoy, listen to music, watch TV, read, etc. Setting aside time for yourself and setting up a routine for yourself can help you keep things in control and can help reduce stress.

Hope this helps. =)

Answer 6

Well eating right helps keep your body healthy therefore your mind will be healthier. Exercise helps release stress for most people. Sometimes it creates more. I relax by taking a bath, reading a book, going shopping, going for a drive, having a glass or two of wine, taking a nap or watching a funny movie. Just do something that takes your mind off of stressful things. Good luck!

Answer 7

It is not good for health to be under stress all time. U can try to remain calm by deep breathing exercises which reduces stress.sit with ur legs folded with ur back strait Keep neck & head in line with ur vertibral line Start inhaling slowly while feeling the air going in ur lungs hold it there for 2-3 sec than exhale slowly taking double the time than for inspiration ,hold breath for 2-3 sec than start the cycle again. Breath 5-6 cycles /min for starting for 3 mts & increase to 10 mts. All the time keep ur awareness on air going in & coming out. This will give u acalming effect. Another thing is think positive & see that there is some good in all the situations.

Answer 8

I used to stress a lot about traffic and some other stuff until one day, when i was caught in traffic i though... ok, "Being nervous won't make any difference... i won't get faster, it won't make all the cars disappear" So i just sat back, enjoyed my music and tried to have fun meanwhile.... watching other people get nutz. What I mean here is... you have no influence on everybody else's actions, or on everything else. Don't take things sooooo seriously, give them importance yeah, but hey, if your life does not depend on that, then... why making your life shorter... or miserable?

Exercise works great for this, it makes you re-direct your energy to a healthy purpose, you let all that anger, all that stress go.... believe me, you'll see things easier and more clear after working out.

I hope this helps

Answer 9

Since I started working out an hour a day, my stress levels seemed to have dropped. But I am a hot head, so sometimes, I just need to go sit in a quiet room for a few minutes, close my eyes and daydream about a warm sunny beach :)

Answer 10

stress can come in many shapes and forms and it used to overwhelm me as well. i have found that if the predicament in which one is stressing over can be dealt w/ by the one who is stressed, then it should be taken care of as soon as possible. if however, the problem seems to be out of one's hands, then no matter how much one stresses over a situation, it will not change anything. relax, take a nice-long-hot bath followed by a deep tissue massage.