Stress Relief

Stress relief can be successfully treated in various ways, from natural approaches to prescription and non-prescription durgs. However, one of the most effective methods of stress relief is understanding how it is caused and what can be done to minimize and relieve it.

To understand stress and how it works on the body we'll use an analogy. One way to look at stress is to compare to a air mattress. Air represents stress so our goal is to have an empty matress. A full matress reprents a body full of stress.

Everyday we encounter stressful activities that add air to our air matress. Work life, family life, raising children, debt, paying bills, etc. All this and more add significant amounts of air to our matress.

If we don't take time each day to let that air out of our mattress, it builds up until it starts to reak havoc on our body and mind. The worst case is the mattress explodes and we have a breakdown.

Even before the mattress explodes, the full mattress can reak havoc. For example, tension headaches are caused by a build up of stress in the muscles. When we are stressed out we tense up our muscles. When this happens day after day, the muscles start to scar to protect themselves which basically makes the stress permanent in the muscle. The result is terrible tension headaches.

Stress also weakens our immune system making us more susceptable to illness. Studies have shown the immune system of a body under stress is severly compromised.

Stress is almost impossible to avoid these days. However, if you can appreciate the air mattress analogy, it can show you that stress coming in to our body is fine as long as you let it back out each day. Air can come into the matress as long as it is immediately released thereby not allowing the mattress to fill up and explode.

Stress Relief Strategies

So, how can we release the air in our mattresses so it doesn't build up and eventually explode? Here are some effective strategies the have helped millions deal with stress.

Walking

Walking is a fantastic method of relieving stress. In addition, is great for losing weight, improving heart health, etc.

The best way to walk more everyday is to stop taking elevators, parking close to the door and sending emails or using the phone when contacting office colleagues.

I'm so surprised at the number of people who take elevators when they are only going up or down 3 to 5 flights of stairs. This is a wonderful opportunity to get in a little exercise each day without have to "set aside" time.

how often do drive around in circles at the supermarket until you find a free spot near the door. Or, just parking close to the door just because there is a free spot there. Instead, make an effort to find the spot furthest from the door and park there and walk. Not only will you get great exercised, but you'll also never have trouble finding a spot.

Have you ever emailed or used the phone to contact a colleague to cubicles down? Come on!! Walking over instead will get you out of your chair which is key to relieving stress. Stress builds up when sit in the same place for long periods of time. In addition, talking face-to-face with colleagues will improve office culture and help create a more positive office environment.