Quick Tips for stress relief

When we are under high levels of stress, rational thinking and decision making go out the window. Runaway stress overwhelms the mind and body, getting in the way of our ability to accurately "read" a situation, hear what someone else is saying, be aware of our own feelings and needs, and communicate clearly.

By learning how to quickly and reliably relieve stress and stay calm and focused you will be able to tackle challenges with a clear head and communicate clearly and powerfully even in tense situations.

Why the ability to manage stress is important

Being able to manage and relieve stress is the key to resilience. This ability helps you stay balanced, focused, and in control-no matter what challenges you face.

In small doses, stress can be a good thing. The stress response is the body's way of protecting you. When working properly, it helps you perform under pressure, rise to meet challenges, and stay focused, energetic, and alert. But beyond a certain point, stress stops being helpful and starts causing damage.

When stress is out-of-control, it can get in the way of your ability to:

• Think clearly and creatively
• Communicate clearly
• Accurately "read" other people
• Hear what someone is really saying
• Trust others
• Attend to your own needs

Step 1: Realize when you're stressed

The first step to reducing stress is recognizing what stress feels like. Many of us spend so much time in a stressed state, we have forgotten what it feels like to be fully relaxed and alert.

What does it feel like to calm and stress-free? In adulthood, being balanced means maintaining a calm state of energy, alertness, and focus. Calmness is more than just feeling relaxed; being alert is an equally important aspect of finding the balance needed to withstand stress.

Signs that you may be stressed

• You feel drained and depleted
• You can't concentrate or think straight
• You feel nervous and keyed up
• Your stomach is upset
• You're having trouble sleeping
• Your muscles are tense

Step 2: Identify your stress response

Everyone reacts differently to stress. Some people get angry and do or say things they regret. Others shut down, withdraw, or freeze with anxiety. The best way to quickly relieve stress and calm yourself down depends on your specific stress response.

When it comes to managing and reducing stress quickly in the middle of a heated situation, it's important to know whether you tend to become overexcited or under excited when overwhelmed.

• Overexcited - If you tend to become angry, agitated, or keyed up under stress, you will respond best to stress relief activities that are calming and soothing.
• Under excited - If you tend to become frozen, depressed, withdrawn, or spaced out under stress, you will respond best to stress relief activities that are stimulating and that energize your nervous system.

Step 3: Discover what works for you

The best way to reduce stress quickly and reliably is through the senses: through sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch. But each person responds differently to sensory input, so you need to find things that are soothing to you.

We all have different preferences and needs. What some people find soothing may be unpleasant or even stressful to others. For example, certain kinds of music may relax one person but irritate another. So you need to spend time figuring out what works for you. Then you can use what you have learned to create calming, sensory-rich environments at home, in your car, at the office, or wherever you spend time.

Knowing the right kind of sensory input is essential to:

• Speed up, if you are a person who is spaced out or depressed
• Slow down, if you are a person who is angry or agitated
• Help get unstuck, if you are a person who is frozen with anxiety

Learning the sensory stress-busting techniques that work for you give you a powerful tool for staying clear-headed and in control. You will have the confidence to face challenges, knowing that you have the ability to rapidly bring yourself back into a state of calmess.

It's important to identify stress relief techniques that:

• Both relax and energize you
• Have an immediate impact on your stress
• Are enjoyable and make you feel good
• Consistently work for you
• Are always available or easily accessible

The five senses: The best way to quickly relieve and manage stress

You can rapidly reverse the effects of stress by exposing yourself to sensory input that brings you back into balance. Sensory input encompasses what we hear, feel, touch, taste, and see. You can use the five senses to soothe, comfort, and invigorate yourself almost immediately. All you need are a few short minutes.

Movement for quick stress relief

If you tend to shut down when you're under stress, stress-relieving activities that get you moving may be particularly helpful. Anything that engages the muscles or gets you up and active can work. Here are a few suggestions:

• Run in place
• Jump up and down
• Dance around
• Roll your head in circles
• Do a few quick yoga stretches
• Stomp your feet
• Go for a short walk
• Squeeze a rubbery stress ball

Sight for quick stress relief

If you are a visual person, try to manage and relieve stress by surrounding yourself with soothing and uplifting images. You can also try closing your eyes and imaging the soothing images. Here are a few visually-based activities that may work as quick stress relievers:

• Decorate your home or office with cherished photos and favorite mementos.
• Bring the outside indoors; buy a plant or some flowers to enliven your space.
• Enjoy the beauty of nature-a garden, the beach, a park, or your own backyard.
• Surround yourself with colors that lift your spirits (paint your walls with your favorite color, for example)
• Close your eyes and picture a situation or place that feels peaceful and rejuvenating. The more sensory rich the image, the better.

Touch for quick stress relief

Experiment with your sense of touch, playing with different tactile sensations. Focus on things you can feel that are relaxing and renewing. Here are a few suggestions:

• Wrap yourself in a warm blanket.
• Pet a dog or cat.
• Hold a comforting object, such as a stuffed animal or a favorite memento.
• Soak in a hot bath.
• Give yourself a hand or neck massage.
• Wear clothing that feels soft against your skin.

Sound for quick stress relief

Are you sensitive to sounds and noises? Are you a music lover? If so, stress-relieving exercises that focus on your auditory sense may work particularly well. Experiment with the following sounds, noting how quickly your stress levels drop as you listen:

• Sing or a hum a favorite tune.
• Listen to uplifting music.
• Listen to the sounds of nature-crashing waves, the wind rustling the trees, birds singing.
• Play an instrumental or classical CD.
• Hang wind chimes near an open window.
• Buy a small fountain, so you can enjoy the soothing sound of running water in your home or office.

Smell for quick stress relief

If you tend to zone out or freeze when stressed, surround yourself with smells that are energizing and invigorating. If you tend to become overly agitated under stress, look for scents that are comforting and calming.

• Spritz on your favorite perfume or aftershave.
• Light a scented candle or burn some incense.
• Lie down in sheets scented with lavender.
• Breathe in the smell of freshly brewed coffee or tea.
• Smell the roses-or another type of flower.
• Enjoy the clean, fresh air in the great outdoors.

Taste for quick stress relief

Slowly savoring a favorite treat can be very relaxing, but mindless stress eating will only add to your stress-and your waistline. The key is to indulge your sense of taste mindfully and in moderation. Eat slowly, focusing on the feel of the food in your mouth and the taste on your tongue:

• Drink a refreshing cold beverage.
• Chew a piece of chewing gum.
• Indulge in a small piece of chocolate.
• Sip a steaming cup of tea.
• Enjoy a perfectly ripe piece of fruit.
• Savour healthy, crunchy snack-try celery, carrots, or trail mix.

Incorporating stress-relieving skills into your life

Learning to use your senses to quickly manage stress is a little like learning to drive or to play golf. You do not always master the skill in one lesson-you have to practice until it becomes second nature. Once you have a variety of sensory tools you can depend on and use, you'll be able to handle even the toughest of situations.