stress relief

1. Exercising releases endorphins in the brain which improves mood and gives you an overall feeling of well-being. This is the same chemical that is released when you're in love or eating chocolate!

2. Laughter reduces stress hormones like cortisol, epinephrine, adrenaline, dopamine and growth hormone and increases the level of health-enhancing hormones like endorphins, and neurotransmitters. All this means a stronger immune system, as well as fewer physical effects of stress.

3. Yoga can reduce the impact of stress by increasing muscle flexibility. When we are stressed, our muscles respond by tightening, and yoga postures can counteract that tightening.

4. We usually smile when we are happy. Studies prove that smiling can actually make us feel better and help us to see the lighter side of things. Additionally, a smile makes us approachable.

5. Prayer is the act of communicating with the divine. Repetition of prayers can produce "the relaxation response", lowering the blood pressure and heart rate, and increasing feelings of serenity.

6. Deep breathing is an easy stress reliever that oxygenates the blood, wakes up the brain, relaxes muscles and quiets the mind. Breathing exercises are especially helpful, can be done anywhere, and they work in a flash.

7. Reduce stress and resolve to complete all pending jobs today. First complete jobs that you particularly don't like to do. The anticipation of finishing jobs that you enjoy doing later will keep you going even through the earlier, not-so-enjoyable ones.

1. Laughter really is the best medicine. When you laugh, your muscles relax, stress hormones are reduced, the body’s immune system is improved, high-blood pressure is lowered and the heart and lungs are strengthened.

2. Laughing can be a therapeutic strategy for coping with stressful situations. Laughter may diminish levels of cortisol and stress hormones responsible for triggering elevated blood pressure, heart rate and a host of other stress-related responses.

3. Decrease your stress to improve your diet! Not only do overstressed individuals often skip meals, they develop increased cravings for foods high in fat, sugar and salt.

4. Smile! Maintain a positive attitude and enjoy increased health and longevity, less stress, and succeed where others might quit. In a study of 99 Harvard University students, those who were optimists at 25 were significantly healthier at ages 45 and 60. Other studies have linked a pessimistic explanatory style with higher rates of infectious disease, poor health, and earlier mortality.

5. Listen to music if to relieve stress. Music therapy aids physical and emotional health through the use of music, either with listening, song writing, performing, exploring lyrics or other activities related to music.

6. Early warning signs of heart disease and diabetes are more common among people who report chronic work stress, according to a new British study.

7. It's a perfect time to destress by planting a garden. Whether a small patio to decorate or a vast amount of space to tend, gardening can be a haven for stress relief. Enjoy the sun, get in touch with nature and create some beauty today.

8. Writing a journal at the end of the day can help destress by clearing your mind, solve problems, process emotions, make plans, prepare for the next day and get thoughts out of your head.

9. Deep breathing is an easy stress reliever that benefits the body by oxygenating the blood and waking up the brain, relaxing muscles and quieting the mind. Do them anywhere and see how quickly you can de-stress.

10. Sleep is very important for your emotional and physical wellbeing, ability to handle stress, be productive, and function properly. If you aren’t able to get enough sleep at night, don’t underestimate the value of a power nap!