20 WAYS TO BEAT STRESS INSTANTLY

There are times in all our lives that we just don’t feel good. We feel tired, worried, or “blue” and we really can’t put a finger on the exact source of our stress. There are a few things that we can do to feel better when this happens. Try to focus on the present and avoid dwelling on things that happened in the past or on things that might happen in the future. Stay in the present and try some of these stress-relievers:

1. Go outside in the sunshine.

Walk. Breathe. Look at what is around you and try to appreciate the beauty of nature. Put your cell phone away and relax.

2. Be still and let go of the stress.

Sit and try to clear your mind and focus on the positive. Many times, getting caught up in the whirlwind of life is what created some of the stress to begin with.

3. Exercise.

Run, stretch, do a little cardio to get your heart pumping. Exercising can release endorphins that will help to combat anxiety.

4. Spend time with your pet.

Sit quietly with your dog or cat and give him a massage. Scratch
his back and his ears. Talk quietly to him. There is a reason that hospitals and nursing homes have therapy animals that spend time with the patients. Studies have shown that having positive, regular exposure to animals can have a great impact on our feelings of happiness and contentment.

5. Do an art project.

Create a painting for your home, make a sign for the patio, sit and sketch
on your art pad. Any creative project can work wonders for your outlook on life.

6. Cook.

Experiment in the kitchen. Try out a recipe that you have been wanting to try. Cooking is a creative activity just like drawing and painting can be. Get in there and cook! Then when your creation is finished, invite a friend over to share it with you!

7. Keep a journal.

Write down your thoughts, feelings and experiences. Put it down for awhile, then go back and read what you wrote. Sometimes this helps us to make sense of what we are feeling.

8. Call a loved one.

Talk to someone who you know loves you and wants the best for you.
Feeling acceptance from someone you love can give you the strength you need to face the things that you need to overcome.

9. Watch a good movie, with popcorn.

Need I say more?

10. Read a novel.

Books are everywhere, even at the grocery store. Or spring for a Kindle and have millions of great books with you at all times. Nothing takes you away like a good book!

11. Eat healthy food.

Concentrate on eating healthy food for a few days. Fruits and vegetables and protein are a must. There are some foods that are known to relieve stress. See here.Eliminate sugar and caffeine for awhile and give your body time to adjust to eating healthy.

12. Count your blessings.

We all have something to be thankful for. Count your blessings and then write them down. Sometimes we forget all the good things in life when we are focused on the negative. Comparing what we are thankful for to what we are stressed about can quickly put things into perspective.

13. Connect with others.

Get out of your house. Spend time with family and friends. Having healthy relationships with others will significantly reduce the feelings of stress that you have when you are all alone.

14. Spend time with your children or your grandchildren.

Old or young, children are our greatest blessings and they do have a way of making us forget our worries. Sometimes we become so busy that we don’t take the time we need to interact with our children, regardless of what age they are. Spending time with our children or grandchildren will strengthen your bond, which is always a good thing!

15. Do something nice for someone else.

Take a small remembrance to a shut-in. Many times we are so immersed in our own lives and problems that we forget that so many people have more to bear than we have. Think of someone who would enjoy a card, a call or a visit from you.

16. Tell someone you love them.

Having someone to love always makes us feel better. Think of those who fit this description for you, call them and tell them how you feel.

17. Take it one day at a time.

Everything we do begins with a baby step. Instead of looking at the whole picture, do what you can do to help solve the issue IN ONE DAY. Then the next day, try to accomplish a little more. It is overwhelming to try to find a solution to the entire situation at once. Breaking it down into manageable bits will help to alleviate some of the stress.

18. Accept what you can’t change and change the things that you can change.

Let’s face it…there are some things that we simply cannot fix. Look at the situation logically, and if this is the case, at some point you have to let it go. Do what you can to make things better, but if the situation is unfixable, forgive yourself for any part that you played in creating it, and move on.

19. Sleep.

Getting a full 8 hours of sleep gives us the strength that we need to get through the day. Most of the time, the things that seem overwhelming at night will look much better to you in the light of day.

20. Pray.

Never underestimate the power of prayer to make your burden a little lighter. Studies show that those who pray and consider themselves to have an active relationship with God are able to handle stress better than those people who do not pray.