We've all been stressed before. And it can create knots in your back, arguments in your relationships, and affect your performance at work. Whether it's meeting deadlines for an assignment, getting good grades, or simply dealing with your day-to-day challenges, there will always be issues that will cause you to stress. These situations are inevitable, so preventing stressful events from never happening isn't a viable option. Instead, it's better to learn a few techniques that will help you deal with the stresses you can't avoid.
Everyone reacts to stress differently. How do you react to stress?
Take a look at these two general reactions and see which one describes you more:
- Do you get angry, taking it out on yourself or people around you?
If this is the case, consider doing relaxation techniques that can comfort and calm you, such as meditation, deep breathing, etc.
Do you become depressed, sad, or withdrawn?If this is the case, try a moving exercise to stimulate your body, get your blood pumping, and energize your nervous system.
Additionally, if you find that you want to be alone or you're craving solitude, don't fight it. Do this exercise on your own. Being by yourself for a few minutes can make the experience much more beneficial -- whether you're meditating, exercising, and so on. If you prefer to get support from your peers or to be around others, go ahead and do one of these techniques with others.
Here are three techniques to help you defeat stress.
1. Deep Breathing
If you've never tried it before, give deep breathing a shot. You can practice it anywhere and it's easy to learn.
You're going to breathe deeply, from your abdomen and not your upper chest. This will allow you to inhale more oxygen, which will go into your bloodstream and to your brain. When you breath long, deep breaths, you will feel more relaxed and any anxiety will gradually disappear. Sit up or stand, and breathe slowly through your nose. Take a long and slow deep breath, breathing in for 5 seconds, holding it for 5 seconds, and breathing out for 5 seconds.
Take 10 deep breaths just like this, and then take a break. Then do another set of 10 deep breaths. After a few sets of deep breaths you should be feeling pretty relaxed.
2. Moving Meditation
Tai Chi and yoga are two of the most common forms of moving meditation and stress relief.
Yoga is an ancient technique involving moving and stationary poses that can induce you to relax and reduce anxiety, stress, as well as improve flexibility, strength, balance, and stamina. With the various types of yoga, you can perfect your technique to be as physical and intense or as gentle and laid back as you want.
Tai Chi is a self-paced and personal exercise with its roots in martial arts, although nowadays it's practiced primarily for calming the mind and conditioning the body. Done correctly and practiced often, yoga and Tai Chi can greatly reduce your every day stress and its consequences.
You might also try other forms of exercise, such as Zumba or Pilates, to name a couple. It can be fun to do it with friends or family. And once you've learned the basics, you can do it at home on your own schedule, tailoring it to your needs.
3. Body Scan Meditation
I learned this technique from a
. This tactic is best for those who often feel overwhelmed by commitments and stress, allowing you to take a minute and focus on yourself.
First lie back, on the floor, your bed, wherever, and let go. Keep your legs uncrossed, arms relaxed at your sides, and your eyes open or closed. Breathe deeply, then focus on the toes of your right foot. Move to your ankle, your calf, knee, thigh, hip, and then focus on the other leg. Do this for your whole body, as often as you'd like. By becoming present to your body, one area at a time, you allow yourself to become aware of any muscle tension and naturally relax it.
These are only a few of the methods you can use to relieve stress in your every day life. To get the most out of these techniques, find ways to incorporate them into your every day routines.
Want more help defeating stress? Get a personal life coach to help you practice stress-busting techniques. Learn more about what life coaching is and how it can change your life. Get your online coach and transform your life.
Support HuffPost
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.
Whether you come to HuffPost for updates on the 2024 presidential race, hard-hitting investigations into critical issues facing our country today, or trending stories that make you laugh, we appreciate you. The truth is, news costs money to produce, and we are proud that we have never put our stories behind an expensive paywall.
Would you join us to help keep our stories free for all? Your contribution of as little as $2 will go a long way.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you’ll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.