Seven Ways to Lower Stress

Reducing stress is something that everyone can benefit from. There are many ways to do this and each one is highly personal. Here are seven ways to lower your stress levels.

1. Exercise—This is one of the most important things you can do to lower stress. If you exercise regularly, you are less likely to experience anxiety from those who don't.
2. Breathe Deeply—Take a moment and focus on your breathing. Gently close your eyes and breath in for a count of six, hold your breath for a count of nine, and exhale for a count of six. Repeat this six times and you should feel refreshed.
3. Consider Aromatherapy—It has been shown that certain scents in nature can help elevate mode, reduce anxiety, and promote focus and better concentration. Consider trying popular oils such as lavender, rosemary, and cypress.
4. Reduce Your Caffeine Intake—Caffeine is a stimulant found in coffee, tea, chocolate and energy drinks. High doses can increase anxiety and promote adrenal fatigue. People's sensitivity to caffeine varies greatly.
5. Tune into Your Body—Take a moment and mentally scan your body to get a sense of how stress affects it each day. Lie on your back, or sit with your feet on the floor. Start at your toes and work your way up to your scalp, noticing how your body feels.
6. Take a Bath—Soaking in warm water has a soothing effect on both the body, as well as, the mind. Its relaxation and therapeutic benefits are based on the stimulation of blood circulation and release of muscle tension.
7. Sing HU—Get yourself comfortable and take a few deep breaths. Close your eyes and gently sing the word "HU" (pronounced like the word "hue") in a long drawn out breath, as feels comfortable for you. Sing this for 10 to 15 minutes. Notice how differently you may feel afterwards.

Choose one or two ways that work for you. Remember that reducing stress is an on-going process that you can greatly enhance your success by developing these as habits. It requires attention, awareness and focus to create a habit. To your success!