A- Z to combat Stress

It is natural for us all to feel stressed and some point or another. Yet for some, stress can be taking over our lives. Here is an A – Z of ways to combat stress.

A IS FOR AROMATHERAPY

Aromatherapy is the practice of using essential oils such as chamomile or lemon balm in a therapeutic style.  Why not burn some essential oils after a busy day or use an aromatic candle in a relaxing hot bath.

B IS FOR BREATHING TECHNIQUES

Here is a simple breathing technique you should try to do five times a day.

Follow up:

Slowly breathe in through your nose and let your abdomen rise.  Exhale through slightly pursed lips. Do this 2 or 3 times.

Then change your breathing. Breathe in slowly and count to ten. Hold your breath for three seconds and then breathe out for a further twelve. Do this one more time.

C IS FOR CONTROL YOUR THOUGHTS

Be aware of negative thoughts and try to stop them. A negative thought or an approach will never benefit you but simply make things worse. Try turning a negative thought into a positive one.

Example; ‘I am dreading work in the morning' can be turned into ‘There is only two more days until the weekend – I can make it'.

D IS FOR DIARY

Keep a Stress diary. Write down any stresses you come up against over a week. Study your notes. You may be able to spot a pattern. At what point in the day are you feeling stressed? The more notes you take, the more you will be aware of a stress pattern. You can also use it to find which ways of coping with stress are working best for you.

E IS FOR EXERCISE

Exercise is very important. Not only does it help oxygen get into our system, but also it releases mood-enhancing chemicals that help us cope better. Exercise can be a fantastic outlet for annoyances and frustrations that build up in every day life.

Although a gym may not be to everybody likes, simply a quick run at the beginning or end of a day might make you feel much better.

F IS FOR FOCUS

Don't try to do everything at once. Learn to focus on one thing and prioritise. Trying multitask all-day and everyday will leave you feeling stressed. You may have overlooked important things as you constantly juggle things you need to do. Also learn to focus your thoughts on the positive moments of live and push out the negative feelings.

G IS FOR GUIDED IMAGERY RELAXATION

A form of self-hypnosis. Sit or lie in a comfortable position. Try breathing in peace and breathing out stress. Once you start to feel relaxed, imagine yourself in the most relaxing environment you can imagine.

Many use a beautiful sunny garden but other people may use a remote tropical island (you may have your own). Try to involve all your senses in this relaxation exercise. What can you see, hear, smell, touch and maybe even taste? Stay here as long as you wish to. Enjoy your imaginary surroundings and only open your eyes when you are ready to.

H IS FOR HOBBIES

What is your favourite hobby? Maybe it is going to the cinema or watching football. Whatever it is make sure you spend time doing what you want to do.

I IS FOR INCENSE

Burn incense sticks around the home. Working much like aromatic candles, try to find lavender incense. The smell and environment it creates will help you sooth and relax.

J IS FOR JUST ME TIME

It is vital that we have time on our own. Too much time may feel like isolation but if you can find just half an hour to an hour a day to read a book, watch a television program or go for a walk – whatever you want to do.

K IS FOR KNOW YOUR LIMITS

Stress is a result of pushing your anxiety levels. Although stress in the correct quantity is very good for you, don't try to push yourself too hard. Make sure that you always set realistic goals. Everybody has their limits. Learn yours and stick to them

L IS FOR LISTEN TO MUSIC

Listening to music can be a good way of reducing your stress levels, especially slow and quiet classical. Music not only can help us explore our emotions but also can be used to distract us. It can be often used for meditation purposes as it helps stop the mind from wandering. If you don't like classical music, try something else but the slower and quieter the better.

M IS FOR MASSAGE

Place your thumbs on your cheekbones and use your fingertips to gently apply pressure. Using pressure, slowly move your fingers in a tiny circular motion. Repeat several times. This is just one simple technique. There are many different types of massages to relieve tension.

N IS FOR NATURAL REMEDIES

Kava stress relief tea is a herbal tea that helps relieve stress and anxiety. Maybe try a camomile tea to help you relax. The list goes on. There are many different flavours of herbal teas to suit almost any pallet.

O IS FOR ORANGE

When stressed, the body can produce chemicals and raise your blood pressure. Vitamin C relieves stress by returning your blood pressure to normal. An orange that's full of vitamin C shall keep you healthy.

P IS FOR PROGRESSIVE MUSCLE RELAXATION

Progressive Muscle Relaxation (or PMR) is a technique to reducing stress by tensing up and relaxing muscles. Sit or lie down in a comfortable position. Then with eyes closed, choose a section of your body (say right foot).  Tense up these muscles and count slowly to ten. Then relax your body for twenty seconds. Keep repeating with other parts of your body for about twenty minutes.

Q IS FOR QUIT TRYING TO PLEASE EVERYBODY

You cannot please everybody no matter how hard you try. You do not need to try and make everybody else happy. If somebody doesn't like you, then perhaps it is them that has got the problem.

R IS FOR ROOT

Are you dealing with the root of the problem?  Write down what you believe is the main cause of your stress. Then write down the question ‘why is it such a important thing for me?' Once you have answered this question, ask yourself again ‘is this important? Why is this a big deal to me'. You may uncover more than you thought.

S IS FOR SMILE

‘Smile though your heart is aching' as John Turner and Geoffrey Parsons wrote to an old Charlie Chaplin tune. It takes more muscles to frown than smile. Try entering a stressful situation with your head held high and smiling. You may feel better for it.

T IS FOR TOY

Stress balls are a toy especially to help relieve the symptoms of stress.  Playing with them are a fantastic way to outlet any negative energy you may have stored up.

U IS FOR UNDERSTANDING

Sometimes we all feel exasperated at others. Try understanding how they may feel. By putting yourself in their shoes you may begin to find a way to overcome difficulties with others in our lives no matter how great or small.

V IS FOR VITAMINS

Vitamin A helps destroy toxins that deplete energy levels, Vitamin B1 improves mood, Vitamin B3, helps sleep patterns and the list goes on. Ensure you have a balanced diet full of vitamins of minerals to help you cope with a hectic lifestyle.

W IS FOR WORDING

Change your wording. Instead of ‘I have to' try ‘I choose to'. Avoid negative words and replace them with more positive words. Your attitude to a situation may change the feelings you have towards that environment.

X IS FOR XENODOCHIAL

Xenodochial means be friendly to others, especially strangers or new people. Don't be afraid to meet new people or simply wear a smile as you pass people in the street.

Y IS FOR YOGA

Yoga has existed for thousands of years and has seen a sudden popularity surge in recent years. Try joining a yoga club. Yoga does not only promote physical health, but also mental health. 

Z IS FOR ZZZZ (SLEEP)

For the average adult, you should be trying to get eight hours sleep a night. Too much sleep can be as harmful as too little sleep so try to find the right balance.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/stress-management-articles/a-z-to-combat-stress-4998239.html

Robert Scott is an artist, writer, composer and theatre producer who has received praise from the press, producers and professional songwriters. He found his creative drive at the age of 3 when he started to teach himself music he heard on the television and radio. He soon progressed into writing short stories for his classmates at the age of 5 and was writing music at the age of 15.

Robert has directed, produced, composed and written several musicals. His first musical, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST became a sell out in 2006. His second venture production BIZZARE received praise and  brought him to the attention of a west-end director. Within a year Robert worked on two new pieces, DOLTERRIS and his self penned play THE TRUTH OF A LIE. Success was soon to follow and Robert formed the theatre company Utopian Artists in 2008. Later that year, Robert composed and produced a one-off show at Her Majesty's Theatre, London which received excellent reviews.  

In 2011 Robert is to direct and produce Oscar Wilde's THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY at Robert Ludlham Theatre, Derbyshire.