When life throws you lemons, make lemonade! Sure, you’ve heard this a million times, but you feel as though the recipe has gone a little sour. In other words, you haven’t found anything that helps with relieving stress. Life is hectic enough and by not learning to cope with the issues, it can be mentally and physically exhausting. However, don’t feel as though you’re stuck without a solution. There are relaxation techniques for stress that can be used to alleviate any symptoms caused by this annoyance. Headaches, depression, and insomnia are just to name a few.
So, you woke up late this morning and have been rushing throughout the day. You have yet to have that first cup of coffee and the kids are being sluggish. Traffic is horrendous, the kids are being loud, and you’re late for a morning meeting. It is safe to say that life has thrown you a lemon tree; so what is your next step? The very first thing to do is breathe; just take a moment, close your eyes, and breathe. Being in a rush causes anxiety and tension; the only way to relieve these symptoms is with relaxation. Taking deep breathes puts the body into an extremely calm state; slowing the heart rate, relaxing the nerves, and de-stressing the body. Another way to relieve tension is to focus your mind on something else other than the issues at hand. For instance, closing your eyes and focusing on your breathing will be able to reduce the anxiety surging through your body. You can count, if you wish, to divert your attention toward tranquility rather than stress. Picturing a beach with waves rolling in, plus counting the beach chairs, multiplied by deep breathing equals a meditative state. Congratulations; you have just accomplished what many people pay a psychologist to do. You should feel proud and ready to conquer the rest of the day.
Sometimes stress can be more than what we can endure. When life becomes too hectic for your mind and body to handle, the brain releases a notorious stress hormone called Cortisol. These techniques can assist in balancing the chemical so that the effects are not as serious, but it does not control it. In order for the stress relieving techniques to be beneficial, you need to incorporate them into your daily routine. Another relaxation way to manage stress is by drinking hot tea. Especially green tea or chamomile; these flavors have a calming agent that helps reduce tension within the body. Combining the previous techniques with a hot cup of tea can really be beneficial in the battle of fighting stress. The rest, however, is psychological and there are some relaxation techniques that will help with this as well. For example, make a point to smile and laugh more often. Research has shown that people who portray happiness tend to reflect the actual emotion. Have you ever heard that a smile is contagious? Guess what? It’s a true statement! By smiling, the brain releases endorphins that override the stress hormone and will also relax the entire body. It’s a simple way to insure tranquility.
But, one of the most effective ways to relieve stress is to change your way of thinking. It is easier said than done, but quite promising when it’s accomplished. Looking at situations with a negative aspect will only cloud your judgment, so do everything in your power to prevent it. Regardless of how crazy and stressful the situation may be, always remember that you will get through it. At this point, it’s up to you whether the experience is memorable in a positive or negative way.
So, the next time life gives you lemons, forget about making lemonade. That recipe stopped working a long time ago. Why don’t you grab a cookbook and create a lemon meringue pie instead!
