What are the best ways of relieving stress in a person’s life?

Many people these days lead very stressful lives. People with demanding jobs suffer from stress. Mothers looking after young children suffer from it. Students preparing for important exams also suffer from it. Very severe levels of stress can take a toll on our health and even lead to mental illness. We, therefore, all need to learn how to cope with stress so that it does not get out of control.

Some people find that physical exercise helps relieve stress. The extent of the exercise and the nature of it may vary from person to person. Some take a quick walk around the neighbourhood park and some perform a set of fixed exercises, often to the accompaniment of music or a DVD. Some go for a long jog or run. Some visit the gym to use the exercise equipment.

‘Others find that more gentle exercise is therapeutic in reducing stress. For example, there are people who perform breathing exercises when they are suffering from stress. They find that this makes them much calmer. People who are trying to become calmer often perform relaxation exercise, frequently to taped music.

Many people swear by yoga as an aid to relaxation and stress relief. Some attend a yoga class, while others perform yoga exercises in the privacy of their own home. Yoga is a system of exercises involving breathing and different body positions that helps you concentrate your mind and control your body. You forget what it was that stressed you when you are doing the exercises.

People who aim at complete relaxation as a way to get rid of stress often turn to meditation. This enables them to empty their minds of unwelcome thoughts and feelings. It is an excellent way of getting rid of stress.

Many people have much simpler ways of lowering their stress levels. They may turn to sleep, either going to bed early or having a quick daytime nap. Others find a warm bath soothing, especially when some relaxing essential oil, such as that from lavender, has been added to the bath.

There are those who find that setting aside time to do something they really want to do, and rarely have time to do, helps to relieve their stress. This is sometimes informally called giving yourself ‘me’ time. Of course, what such people actually do with this time varies considerably according to their personal tastes.

Some may go away for a short holiday and some, especially women, may spend some time at a spa. Some may unplug the phone, switch off the mobile and listen to some soothing music or read the latest book by their favourite author. Some may have a glass of wine, although too much alcohol is bad for stress, and some may treat themselves to a box of chocolates.

Doctors think that having a pet helps to reduce stress. Sitting on the sofa patting your dog or stroking your cat can reduce your heart rate and make you calmer. Watching fish in a home or office aquarium apparently is another way to beat stress. While admiring their easy, graceful movements, you dismiss from your mind anything that may have upset you.

You can choose whatever method of relieving stress that suits you best. The important thing is that you take some action to deal with it while it is still at an early stage. But to do that, you need to be able to identify the symptoms of stress. That is the first step.