Many nerve-wracking, frustrating, and overwhelming events can raise your stress levels. When you start feeling the strain from those problems, you might start to think about it too much and increase your stress quite a bit. Use these stress-relieving tips to help you out.

An affirmation is a quick, positive statement you can use to keep your mind focused on beating stress. As you repeat your affirmation to yourself, you will be able to stifle that wheedling, pessimistic voice from within. Be sure that your affirmation calms you and gives you a sense of being calm and able to handle any stressful situation. You should feel better when you use your affirmation.

Know your own stress. One of the most important parts of dealing with stress is identifying where your stress comes from. Stress can be any adverse reaction to a person, situation, or event. When you find the things that are stressing you out, get rid of them.

Write about the stress you are experiencing. There may be situations in your life that are causing stress to increase, but you can’t discuss them with anyone. However, by writing them down you are effectively getting them off your chest, and that may help to lower your stress levels. If you keep your stress journal, you can look at the entries later and see how you solved stressful situations in the past.

A cup of herbal tea is an excellent stress reliever. Passionflower, kava kava, and chamomile tea are all famous for their mild sedative effects. Allow the tea to steep for at least 10 minutes to fully maximize their strength. Drink a cup every morning or each night before going to bed to reduce your stress.

Video Game

Try reducing your stress with an exciting video game. When you’re playing a video game, you are focused on it and no other thoughts consume your mind. Both playing alone and playing with friends, do wonders for a bad mood.

During times of stress, pay attention to what parts of your body are tense. Often people clench their lower back muscles, knuckles, shoulders or teeth. When you notice that part of the body begin to tighten, consciously stretch and relax that part of the body. By doing this, you will be able to relax and feel less tense.

Breathing before you respond can help control a situation that is stressful. Remove yourself from the situation and take some deep breaths while counting to ten. Once your breathing is under control, rejoin the situation. Being able to calm down can help you be rational and productive rather than becoming defensive and frustrated.

If you are in school and having difficulty with a subject, seek out a tutor. Having someone to help you with your studies will make you more relaxed when it is time for the exam. Feeling confident is one of the most important steps to take in reducing your anxiety.

Stress Levels

Apply visual imagery in order to lower your stress levels. Research has found that calm visual images can effectively reduce stress levels. Picture yourself enjoying a sunny beach, sitting in a field of flowers or soaking in a jacuzzi to remove yourself from the immediate affects of a stressful environment. Even shutting your eyes for a moment or two to retreat to an imaginary sanctuary of peace can make a big difference.

Buy lotion or shampoo that has a pleasant fragrance. A pleasant aroma can help improve your mood and make it easier to resist stress and anxiety. To help build up your thought process buy some body sprays or lotions.

When someone is giving you directions or instructions, you will be less stressed later if you pay close attention the first time. Paying attention to the instructions can help you manage your stress. For instance, pay particular attention to your superior at work, your physician or your professor.

If you do not get enough sleep, your body cannot function correctly. You cannot properly handle any stress and you will not think as clear as you normally would. If you would like to stay energized all day long, you need to get enough sleep.

In stressful situations, don’t be afraid to get away from the situation. By thinking calm thoughts frequently you will notice that the positive things you think start to come true.

You can relax and unwind by putting on some soothing music and listening with your eyes closed. Relaxing your muscles and clearing your mind can decrease the tension associated with stress. Music that is atmospheric will have a lasting impression on your mind after you have listened to it. As you listen to it with your eyes shut, your mind will wander to a more pleasant state. This can be a great and effective way to release stress.

Stress symptoms can be relieved by viewing a soothing image. The visual appeal of natural scenes can be relaxing to your mind. If you don’t have a photograph handy, simply close your eyes, relax, and visualize a peaceful image. By imagining yourself in those serene settings, you help your body to feel calm and relaxed.

Positive Effect

Smiling has an immediate, positive effect on stress. Notice that sadness seldom sticks around if you are smiling. Nerve impulses transmit from your face to the limbic system whenever you smile. This can have a positive effect on your emotional state and reduce stress.

Stress usually causes more stress thus creating a continuous cycle that may overwhelm even the emotionally strongest people. The reverse cycle exists as well; you will feel less stress as you learn to deal with it in a positive manner.