How to Reduce Stress for a Happier Life

Stress is baggage that we can all do without. What is stress? Why does stress affect our lives and how can we avoid it? Martin Mayer looks at a growing problem.

With a stressful lifestyle – long working hours, less time for exercise, leisure and relaxation and our increasing reliance on television and the internet – it is more important than ever to make time for ourselves. Stress is our body’s reaction to events that threaten us. In a hostile environment, stress could be the difference between survival and death. If threatened, stress hormones are released proportionately to the perceived threat. Then, adrenalin is released and increasing blood pressure leads to anger or fear of that threat.

In our society, this loss of control could lead to unacceptable consequences. Therefore, the overwhelming majority of people hold in this aggression and fear. In doing this, we burn up more energy doing nothing about the causes of the stress. This leads to physical, mental and emotional exhaustion. Anyone, of any age, can suffer from stress and its effects can be equally debilitating.

Relaxing music can be used as part of stress relief or relaxation technique. Most importantly, try to remove yourself from stressful situations or learn to deal with the fear, anxiety or annoyance that causes them. As this is not always possible, it is important to have time away from these situations to unwind and relax.

Try to find a quiet place where you will not be disturbed and listen to relaxing music. Listen to relaxation music at a volume level that is high enough to mask any background noise but not so high as to be overbearing. In a busy workplace or home, headphones are useful. It is best to use music written specifically for relaxation, although you could use any music that you find particularly relaxing. This technique is most useful if it can be practiced for a significant amount of time – more than half an hour. However, it can be effective if used regularly for just a few minutes at break times.

Here are a few other ways that you can reduce stress in the home or the workplace:-

Fresh air Open a window or spend some of your time in the open air.

Caffeine Drink less tea, coffee and coke. Caffeine is a stimulant and causes stress. Mineral water is an ideal alternative.

Comfort Ensure that you have adjusted your chair correctly to support your lower back and allow your feet to rest on the floor. Your keyboard and mouse should be positioned at elbow level keyboard directly in front of the user. The mouse should be easy to reach. User’s eye level should coincide with the top of the display.