It is critical that we not only take care of our physical health but our mental health as well. There are so many stresses that many of us experience in our daily lives, and it can overwhelm us at times. Whether it's our job, family, friends, politics, or bills, many of these stresses are unavoidable, so it's up to us to make sure we lessen the effects stress has on us or it will wreak havoc on our health.

I think most people can relate to some form of job stress, and I'm sure some job-related stress is ten times worse than others' job stress. Whether it's verbal abuse from a supervisor or another coworker or working long hours and not having time for your family, we all deal with stress differently. Some people might experience constant headaches, lack of sleep, change in eating habits, and so on. Others have something inside of them that won't allow things to bother them so intensely. They may rely on their faith, exercise, etc., or are just genuinely unaffected by such things and can go on with their lives accordingly. These kinds of people are incredible and probably not around in high numbers!

The following are my personal tips for keeping your stress levels down.

Do some form of exercise. It is the most incredible gift you can give to yourself at least four times per week for the rest of your life. Once you implement a workout plan and stick to it, it'll become a permanent part of your lifestyle and much easier to commit to doing. There are so many options for working out, too. Walking, yoga, skating, swimming, cycling, and yes, sex. You don't have to necessarily join a gym. You can walk outside or walk for thirty minutes at the mall. Consistent exercise doesn't require a lot of your time. I always say that if you are sitting at home watching a television program then you have time to work out. Purchase a yoga mat and hop on it while watching your favorite program. Before you know it, you've worked out for an hour.

Listen to music. Classical, jazz, blues, or some other type of soothing music can really help to relax your mind and make you feel at ease. If you can listen to music at work, it is especially helpful if you tend to experience stress during that time. If you're stressed out about family stuff, listening to music helps then too. I think music is an incredible gift that can immediately enhance your mood.

Take your lunch break. It baffles me how many people tend to not take their lunch or they sit at their desk working and eating during their break. If your job is stressful, this is really a bad idea. Not eating at all is an even worse idea. If you have a job that requires you to be on the computer a lot, you really do need to walk away from it for at thirty minutes, but an hour is better if your work can wait. It is tremendously helpful to you and your employer when you've had a break. Everything is fresh and you see things differently when you've had time away from your desk.

Read a good book. Try reading an uplifting book, as opposed to something that may depress you or cause you angst. It's always best to incorporate this kind of book into your reading habits instead of always reading material that may be too heavy when you're already feeling stressed.

Make laughter a priority. Surround yourself with funny people ... small children, a spouse, your favorite aunt or uncle, friends. Everyone knows someone who is a hoot. If all else fails, watch a funny movie, sitcom, or stand-up comedy. With everything going on in this world and in our every day lives, no one can survive without laughter.

Write in a journal. One of my college professors always encouraged us to keep a daily journal, and I haven't been without one since. It feels wonderful to write your thoughts and feelings down. It helps to clear your mind as well as helps you to re-energize yourself or come to conclusions on matters that may be affecting you. It is incredibly euphoric.

Take a vacation. If you can afford to do so, I highly recommend a vacation and/or a quick weekend getaway, so you can recharge. It does wonders if you're stressed out. Figure out the type of environment you want to be in and plan your vacation accordingly.

Here's to a stress-free life, or at least one where stress is minimized!

#health #exercise #stress