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Living In Gratitude: 6 Simple Ways to Reduce Stress

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Our greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought above the other. ~Williams James

These days, we are all busy. Our days are filled with endless to do lists, both at work and at home. Being so busy, we tend to fall into the mindset that undertaking the next thing on our to-do list takes precedence over relaxing.

But it’s harder to take care of all the things we HAVE to do or for connecting with important people in our lives — if we don’t first take care of ourselves. When we take time out to relax and unwind, we will have more energy, patience and a better outlook to tackle everything we need to do.

Below are a few relaxation techniques that can help reduce stress, increase focus and calm our bodies and minds.

1.Deep Breathing

Focusing our awareness on our breath is an exceptional way in which to calm our minds and emotions, allowing us to relax. Our breathing frequently reflects our emotions. When we are stressed, angry or anxious, we tend to do shallow breathing, which perpetuates these emotional states. By bringing awareness to and altering our breathing, we can shift both our attention and mood. Read more

Living In Gratitude: 19 Ways To Minimize Stress

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It’s not stress that kills us, it is our reaction to it. ~ Hans Selye

Stress is a part of daily life. This state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from the demands and pressures of life and work can result in headaches, fatigue, problems sleeping, difficulty making decisions and a host of other symptoms.

Below are 19 tips on how to manage and minimize stress.

  1. Chocolate meditation

  • Choose a chocolate that is indulgent or that you’ve never eaten. Dark chocolate is especially ideal for this exercise.
  • Open the packet. Inhale the aroma. Let it sweep over you.
  • Break off a piece and look at it. Really let your eyes drink in what it looks like, examining every nook and cranny.
  • Pop it in your mouth. See if it’s possible to hold it on your tongue and let it melt. Chocolate has over 300 different flavours. See if you can sense some of them.
  • If you notice your mind wandering, simply notice where it went and gently escort it back to the present moment.
  • After the chocolate has completely melted, swallow it very slowly and deliberately. Let it trickle down your throat.
  • Repeat this with one other piece.

2. Write down worries in a journal

The physical act of writing things down helps minimize stress by moving them from inside ourselves to an outside space.

3. Peel an orange

Studies show the smell of citrus is a tension tamer.

91 Savor each moment

4. Experience nature

Getting outside and enjoying nature is a great way to minimize stress. Focus on the sights, smells and sounds around you. Breathe deeply. Feel the movement of your body. Read more

Living In Gratitude: Our Greatest Weapon Against Stress

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…is our ability to choose one thought over another. ~William James

Stress can affect both our body and mind, impacting our overall health and wellbeing. We all encounter stressors in our lives but how we choose to manage stress is an important piece of the puzzle.

Identifying the cause of our stress and working to positively address a solution can make an enormous difference in our ability to reduce negative affects.

When in a stressful situation, we feel under enormous pressure and tend to tense up, become anxious, frustrated and even angry. Our thoughts often become ‘cannots‘ rather than ‘can dos‘, resulting in a paralysis of sorts where we are unable to work toward a resolution. Teaching ourselves how to think of positive outcomes allows us to cope and manage stress, thus reducing its impact and often leading us to solutions. Read more

Living In Gratitude: Stress Happens

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Stress happens when we resist life’s events.

Let go.

Be at peace and appreciate life.

This is a spiritual practice.

Stress is a part of life. It’s a reaction to something that disrupts our mental or physical equilibrium, resulting in a ‘fight or flight’ reaction. In moderation, stress can keep us active, alert and excited but long-term, chronic stress can have a negative impact on our health.

You may not be able to eliminate stressors, but you can control how you react to them. Healthy stress management routines can help you manage stressors big and small. These might be meditation, exercise, deep breathing or any whatever method works best for you. Read more