These posts are meant to lead you be your most empowered self and help you overcome those things that are holding you back from reaching your goals. Some of this might resonate with you, or not, and I’m not here to judge anyone or their actions, only to give you something to think about.

It is time to make your life a stress free zone. Once you are aware of your stressors, you can do something about it. When you have identified what is making you anxious and pinpointed what it is what is triggering you, you can be ready for it.

For some people, creating a physical stress free zone like a room or a chair or a corner in their dwelling helps them with their calming exercises. For others, the simple fact of keeping their homes or work areas decluttered and clean helps a lot. For others it’s somewhere outside their home and work and that is OK too as long as it is easily accessible. For others still their stress free zone is somewhere they imagine, or a color or a pet. Stress free zones mean different things for different people, you yourself need to find your “happy place” and use it when you need it. I have some tips that help once you are there …

Breathing techniques

A 2015 study found that progressive muscle relaxation relieved symptoms of anxiety and depression and improve mental health aspects related to the quality of life. How to: Relax and breath deeply while focusing on a muscle group (for example feet) – tense and release – then repeat with another muscle group moving your way up the body.

Visualization techniques

Practice your visualizations at the start of your day with your affirmations for the day. How to: get comfy and breath deeply with your eyes closed, focus on your affirmation and visualize what it looks like while incorporating all your senses – what do you see, hear, smell, feel etc. and make sure to stay focused.

Laughing more

Take time in your day to smile as often as possible and to find things laugh about. It can be about seeing humor in the every day things. Watch a funny movie or TV show or some comedy. Make it your mission to laugh every day. Laughing reduces stress but is also very healthy.

According to experts, studies have shown that “laughter can help relieve pain, bring greater happiness, and even increase immunity … [it] reduces the level of stress hormones like cortisol, epinephrine (adrenaline), dopamine, and growth hormone [and] also increases the level of health-enhancing hormones, like endorphins.” Now those are lots of good reasons if any to laugh more!

Being active

In addition to benefiting your overall health, being active boosts your endorphins and can distract you from your stressors. According to experts, “regular exercise can increase self-confidence, improve your mood, help you relax, and lower symptoms of mild depression and anxiety. Exercise can also improve your sleep, which is often disrupted by stress, depression and anxiety.” This can be something simple as taking a walk or even morning stretches. Every little bit helps. Make realistic goals. Start small and move your way up. Do consult with your doctor first if you have any health conditions.

Your Takeaway

1. By identifying your stressors, you will be able to deal with them more effectively and knowing your triggers prepares you for it before it happens.
2. Breathing exercises help you relax when you need it most. Try focusing on something while you are breathing deeply. In through your nose out through your mouth.
3. Starting each day meditating on your daily affirmation helps you visualize a better day and outcome.
4. Laughing is a great way to reduce stress. Smile more and find humor in everyday situations. It also increases your feel good hormones and immunity!
5. Being active helps you relieve many of the symptoms of stress and anxiety. Something as simple as taking a walk or stretching when you wake up helps you feel better. Start slow and work your way up to more.

TRY THIS: Create a stress-free zone by finding a calming technique that works for you. Be gentle and patient with yourself and start slow.

POST IT NOTE: I will create my stress free zone

Click here for recorded segment exclusively on BlastTheRadio.com: STRESS FREE [6:12 min]

READERS: What are your thoughts on this? Please share in the comments!

One.Step.At.A.Time.

Suzie