Stress

It seems Americans are struggling with stress on a day to day basis. Here are some tips to help you cope with pressures great and small – from losing a spouse to buying a new house to getting rid of a mouse.No matter what you’re anxious about, itt really is important to stop and smell the roses.

Tip 1: Just breathe.
Practice breathing exercises. If you breathe deeply, all the while counting each breath, you can slow down your body movements and thus, slow down your frenzied thoughts.

Tip 2: Exercise.
Not only does working out improve your physical well-being on a basic level, but it releases endorphins which battle stress and unhappiness. 

Tip 3: Eat and sleep well.
It’s important that you are well-rested and get the proper nutrition. Without enough sleep or food, these other tips will be pretty useless.

Tip 3: Care for a pet, baby, or small child.
If you own an animal or have kids, this tip is easy! If you don’t, consider buying a dog or cat or baby-sit for a friend. Playing with and caring for kids and animals has been scientifically proven to reduce stress levels.

Tip 4: Find a hobby!
One of the best ways to combat stress is to distract yourself from the daily pressures of life by engaging in something you love to do, be it drawing, playing the piano, fishing, gardening, or playing poker.

Tip 5: Volunteer.
It may seem counter-intuitive to take on more responsibility when you’re already feeling the stress of your many responsibilities at work and/or at home but helping others and forgetting personal worries, can in fact increase your physical health and well-being.

Tip 6: Listen to music.
Music is probably one of the most powerful stress relievers. Taking a break to listen to just a few favorite songs on your iPod can make a big difference in how the rest of your day goes.

These are just a few steps you can take to manage anxiety and stress in your life.