4 Ways to Reduce Stress that Actually Work

Stress can kill you.

Sometimes I believe I could die from stress.

Hopefully I won’t, but occasionally it feels like it.

Stress is something that I grapple with regularly. Once it starts, it feels like it’s coming from all directions. Projects start coming in. Emails start coming in. Inevitably at this point I’ll get 10 phone calls that require attention.

I prefer to fight stress in small battles.

I need simple techniques. I need to use them on a regular basis. There are bigger lifestyle projects I can work on to simplify my life and reduce stress. Outsource more. Drink less caffeine. But usually I need the simple techniques that I can apply right now.

I have found the following are immensely effective at reducing stress. They are also practical in that they allow me to refocus my efforts.

1. Breathe

Sit and breathe deeply focusing on your breath and nothing else. Focus on taking deep breaths and letting them out slowly. Try to make your out-breath match your in-breath. Your mind will wander. That’s ok. Simply bring your focus back to your breathing.

Do this for ten minutes, and you will feel less stressed. I’m up to 8 minutes. Then my lizard brain kicks in. Still works great though.

2. Take a short walk outside

Even if it’s just to check the mail or walk around your building at work.

Something about being outside makes me less stressed almost instantly. Look at the blue sky. Find a leaf and examine the lines in it. Just take a few minutes and notice the beauty around you. This will clear your mind and let you refocus.

3. Exercise

This doesn’t have to be all out for an hour. Even 20 minutes of easy biking or elliptical will do the trick. In front of a TV is fine, but being outside kicks stress in the ass.

Enjoy the sweat of the workout. I actually believe I can sweat out stress. Try martial arts or tennis. Both are effective. When someone’s trying to hit you in the face, it’s hard to think that upcoming budget meeting that you haven’t finished the presentation for.

4. Get enough sleep

This is a big one I’ve only just come to recognize.

Sleep works wonders for reducing stress. If I get 5 hours of sleep, I’m a zombie. If I get 7, I’m Captain America.

Check out Arianna Huffington’s TED talk on getting more sleep here.

These are my current top four for combating daily stress. Give them a try. I think they’ll work for you too.

Do these sound a little new-age-zen-habits for you?

I thought so when I reviewed it. I almost didn’t post it.

My initial instinct was to tell you to quit your job, start a business, and gain more control over your life and income to reduce stress.

That sounded crazy.

Remember to breathe

Do me a favor and like or share this article with a friend if you found it useful.

About

Josh Gwin is the founder of Redline Digital, a consulting firm that helps businesses create highly-effective social media campaigns and SEO campaigns. He writes about how business people can kick butt at work at www.joshgwin.com.