Need Stress Relief NOW?

Need stress relief NOW? Can't put it off until the weekend? The following five stress relief tips will help you immediately.

Get out of the situation. If a work situation is getting tough to handle, slip out to the restroom for a break. Kids driving you nuts? Send them to safe places and get away to a separate room where you can think. Significant other getting overly dramatic? Ask your partner for some time to clear your head. Is the stressful situation a larger scale problem? Schedule a day off. Just by walking away, you will feel your stress level drop. Use that time away wisely.

Take a deep breath. Deep breathing automatically lowers your heart rate and blood pressure, both of which are linked to your body’s stress response. Focus on nothing but your breath as you breathe slowly and consciously. When you've regained emotional control, you can go back into the stressful situation.

Think about the big picture. Ask yourself if this is important when you think about your life as a whole. Is your career in jeopardy? Your relationship? Is this a life-threatening situation? Think of the other parts of your life that are positive. Seek out answers. Identify your part of the problem.

Determine what you can reasonably do. Using the new persepctive you've gained, plan out what you can do to help solve the problem. Let go of what you can’t change, figure out actions you can take, and trust your efforts will be enough.

Try to promote a peaceful approach to the problem. If the other people are still highly stressed, try to be a calming influence on the situation. Look for ways to talk them down off the ledge, seeking common ground and solutions.

You need to actively manage your stress. If you often find yourself in stressful situations, research stress relief programs and methods.