What to Do to Relieve Stress

Everyone deals with stress, and at some point everyone wants to know what to do to relieve stress. Simply living everyday can cause stress: dealing with work, wrangling kids, and managing life at home can generate some serious tension. Add to that any major stressful events such as divorce or a death in the family, and stress can become a serious problem. According to the National Women's Health Information Center, stress can cause or exacerbate physical health problems like high blood pressure, back and neck pain, and even diabetes. Chronic unrelieved stress takes a toll on mental health as well, worsening symptoms of anxiety and depression. Relieving stress doesn't have to mean spending a fortune: fighting stress can be done at home for little or no money with these alternatives to traditionally expensive stress relievers.

Find your own ways to relieve stress.

Control Stress Levels

Some stress is inevitable, so it makes sense to know what to do to relieve stress and keep stress levels under control. This means eating a balanced, healthy diet with lots of healthy protein and plenty of fruits and vegetables. Getting at least seven to nine hours of sleep each night builds energy to face the next day's frustrations and challenges. Beyond simply living a healthy lifestyle, reducing stress also means taking time to relax and enjoy time alone, as well as with family and friends. With only 24 hours in each day, taking time to relax means limiting the amount of extra activities and commitments. Learn to say “no,” at least sometimes.

Head to the Spa

It's fun to dream of a blissful spa vacation, complete with deep tissue massages, herbal baths, and rejuvenating facials. These treatments are great for an occasional indulgence, but can quickly become very expensive. For more budget-friendly pampering, try an at-home facial with natural ingredients or pick up an inexpensive clay mask from the local drugstore. Invest in an electronic neck or back massager, and carve out 10 minutes to enjoy a breather from the daily grind. Sometimes a long soak in a warm bubble bath is all that's needed to relax the muscles and chase away stress. Many drugstores now sell essential oils, allowing the stressed to soothe their tension with a bit of easy aromatherapy.

Hit the Gym

Heading to the gym after a difficult day can be just the thing for stressed out workers. Gyms offer swimming pools and are full of weight machines and equipment like treadmills, stair climbers, and stationary bikes. It can also be a nice change of scenery from both home and office, and can feel like a small vacation from everyday worries. However, the high monthly membership dues may add financial stress to already strained budgets. Getting fit doesn't have to be expensive, and it's easy to do a challenging, stress-relieving workout at home.

Walking and running are a great place to start, since the only cost is a supportive pair of running shoes. Starting slow is best, with alternating periods of running and walking. It's important to stretch before and after a workout, and to check with a doctor before starting any new exercise program. Free yoga and pilates routines are available online, and can be done with a minimum of floor space. On nice days, change it up by moving the routine outside and adding some tunes on an MP3 player.

Get Some Therapy

When stress triggers or exacerbates a mental health problem such as anxiety or depression, it's imperative to get professional help from a psychiatrist or licensed therapist. Less severe levels of stress can also benefit from therapy, but sessions can cost over $100, making this a pricey stress reliever. Chat about stressful situations with friends over coffee, or write out feelings in a journal.

Meditation is another great way to calm the mind and can be done simply by finding a comfortable place to sit and concentrating on one specific thought for a period of 15 minutes or so. Yoga is a form of active meditation, and has the added advantage of gently working the body while soothing the mind. Prayer can also be a great way to relieve stress and focus on your spirituality. Studies have even shown that prayer has a positive effect on physical health.

What to Do to Relieve Stress

Knowing what to do to relieve stress is as simple as trying out a few different quick stress relievers. Each person relaxes in his or her own way, and it's important to find a way to relieve stress that is personal and addresses your specific needs. Incorporating stress relief into each day keeps you relaxed, healthy, and ready to confront the challenges of living.

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