Stress is a part of our hectic lifestyles. Not only is it detrimental to our health but it can be destructive to our relationships. We are all familiar with the recommendations of dealing with stress such as; count to ten, go for a walk, meditate, have a hot bath, watch puppies play (does anyone really do that?). Here are some less conventional, but easy to incorporate, tricks for reducing your stress.

Massage your Ears

Yes, you read right! However strange it sounds, massaging your ears is proven to reduce stress. It’s simple, effective, only takes a few minutes and you can do it anytime, anywhere, without getting arrested. Gently rub your earlobes with your thumb and index finger and then massage the outer edges of your ears from top to bottom and back again. Touching these points on your ears relaxes your body, clears your mind and reduces stress.

Talk Slower

Talking fast makes your body tense up and your breathing shallow. Be aware of the speed you are talking at and the next time you’re having a conversation try to focus on the content of the moment rather than rushing onto the next subject. Once you start to practice this you will find that your conversations become more focused and peaceful and you will enjoy the interaction as opposed to getting stressed by it.

Learn How to Say 'No'

We’ve all been caught in the trap; we say yes to an invitation or a request while our gut screams “No!” If in the moment you’re feeling uncomfortable and have no excuse ready to pull out the bag, just say, “I’ll have to get back to you.” This gives you time to think about it, make a decision and come up with an excuse. If you know immediately that you do not want to say yes, say no! Do it quickly but politely and others will respect your honesty. The more you do it the easier it gets, we promise.

Cry

Sometimes we just need a good cry. Something is building up inside but we cannot find the appropriate release for it (and killing the neighbor or the boss is not the recommended way to go). Seldom is the timing right, either we are at work or in a social situation and by the time we have five minutes alone the feeling has passed. Watch a sad video clip or a particularly moving movie to force your emotions back to the surface. There is nothing that releases stress more efficiently than a good old-fashioned sobbing session.

Laugh

Daily laughter reduces stress substantially and it’s fun. Unlike crying you can do it in public and not care who sees you. Whether you like to watch ‘Married at first sight”, listen to funny pod casts or make up silly songs with your kids, use whatever works for you. Make a conscious effort to include some laughter in your daily schedule. Laughter is easy when you’re feeling happy but not so much when you’re feeling blue. The trick is to practice laughing because you’ve decided to and not because there’s anything particularly funny happening. Once you start, it’s easy to continue. Laughter really is contagious!

Stay tuned for next week's resolution to “Get Organized”