Take A Deep Breath… The Six Steps To Instant Stress-Free Calm

It’s easy to forget how much stress you are actually under. You’re on the go all day and when you finally get to sit down to think, you’re just too tired to even offload your worries.

But your body is aware. All that tension could start a chain reaction of health problems.

The best way to manage your stress is to keep it from building up in the first place, but it can be hard to tell when you’re heading for the danger zone.

To keep your stress level in check, take a few minutes each day to think over any unusual changes in your habits or physical health that may be spurred on by anxiety and worry.

Step One: Shift Your Focus

When you're feeling tense, you may get the urge to mentally replay what went wrong over and over in your mind. This is completely unproductive. Shift your focus to your body instead. Find a quiet place to sit down.

Take long, deep breaths from your diaphragm; try inhaling through your nose for a count of four, holding for two, and exhaling through your mouth for seven. Exhaling longer than you inhale deepens your breathing, which helps calm your nervous system.

Step Two: Get Moving

It’s easy to skip exercise when your mind is loaded with worry, but working out actually helps balance the stress hormones.

So take a break, and walk up and down a few flights of stairs, or sign up for that evening evening exercise class you've been dying to try.

Step Three: Snack Right

During stressful times, it's only human nature that we might want to treat ourselves to a piece of cake. But it's more important than ever to stick to your healthy eating habits.

Sugary snacks can spike your blood-glucose level, making you feel even more jittery. For a healthy yet stress-busting treat, dip fresh strawberries in dark chocolate sauce, yes, we are suggesting this snack. The fruit's vitamin C decreases stress-induced freeradicals, while dark chocolate helps reduce stress hormones (such as cortisol) in the body. Yummy…

Step Four: Friends Are The Best

Spending time with your buddies actually helps our bodies pump out the feel-good hormone oxytocin. Meet up with a friend at the end of a crazy-busy day, or call during your lunch break.

Step Five: Get Out Of The House

Spending the whole day at your desk and then the rest of your day on your couch means you didn’t get outside at all. Breathing fresh air can change your outlook, helping you deal with tough situations more calmly.

Step Six: Prep Yourself For Your Bed

We all know how it is. Just when we lie down for a good night’s sleep, all our worries come rushing back. It’s exhausting. And the lack of sleep only makes you feel more anxious. To combat this vicious cycle, reach for a pad and pen, and jot down any negative thoughts or to-dos that pop into your head. Getting your thoughts on paper actually helps you put them aside.