The Best Methods To Reduce Stress

Progressive Muscle Relaxation

This method teaches patients how to relax their muscles based on a two-step process. If you find you are often stressed, take fifteen minutes a day to practice this method. For those who are always stressed or experience persistent feelings of anxiety, this exercise can also help them recognize what it feels like to be relaxed.

The first step in this process is to intentionally tense up specific muscles, such as the shoulder muscles. The next step is to release that tension then, understanding how the muscles feel once relaxed. When you practice this process daily, after two to three weeks you will be able to recognize when you are tensing up. You can then 'cue' this relaxation technique, helping reduce overall tension. This process will also help you become more mindful of stressors.

Remember A Past Success

More often than not, we are incredibly hard on ourselves, but it is important to give ourselves some credit. If you are overly stressed out about something, try to focus on the big picture. If overwhelmed, remember a time when you completed a challenging and stressful task. Remind yourself, 'you can do this, you can overcome this situation.'

This can help you re-energize, focus, and practice self-compassion. The truth is no one can beat you down and make you feel more stressed than yourself. Do not be your worst enemy and remember to encourage yourself. Positive self-talk, emphasizing past successes can help reduce feelings of stress and negative emotions.