I have a little piece of paper on my computer that says: Action is worry's worst enemy.
The same thing can be said for stress.
That's because often the main source of our stress is worry.
It seems we can't escape worry related stress these days.
Financial and safety worries are on the top of the list.
We also have way too many things we have to do every day.
The so called time saving technology tools we have only seem to make it worse.
As an example, how many e-mails do you have in your inbox right now? What happens if you go away for a day? The mere act of trying to catch up can be very stressful.
But that's exactly the answer.
Trying to catch up is taking action.
Even a little action will reduce the worry and stress and give you a feeling of accomplishment.
Once you start feeling better, you can do a little more and evaporate that stress away.
Here are some simple actions you can take to combat stress.
1.
Do something physical like take a walk.
The act of moving can break the worry cycle.
It also releases the stress management chemicals like serotonin.
For the exercise to be effective, it needs to be brisk enough to raise your heart rate.
2.
Face what is worrying you.
If it's something tangible like too many e-mails, spend a half hour cleaning them out.
Any progress will be beneficial.
You don't have to devote a whole day to it.
If it's not tangible, like a future worry, try to come up with some ideas of how you would cope with the situation if it should happen.
Don't spend a lot of time on it, just enough to develop a strategy.
Because after all, it may never happen.
3.
Talk about what is stressing you.
Don't hold it all in feeling you will be a bother.
Talk it out with family and friends.
Share strategies that are helpful.
4.
Try Yoga and deep breathing exercises.
These help stretch your muscles and loosen areas of tightness.
Deep breathing is good for your overall physical functioning and helps elevate your mood.
5.
Read a really good book.
Choose one with an uplifting theme by a writer that pulls you into the story and encourages you to visualize.
Use these ideas as a start and see how many other ways you can take action.
You'll feel more positive and be able to do even more the next time you feel stressed.