Stress is one of the most common causes of disease in our society and probably one of the least understood dangers to our health. Many of us dont see the dangers of stress in our lives until it’s too late and few realize the impact on our physical body. The following are my Top Ten tips to reduce your stress levels now and begin living your life the way it was meant to be – Stress Less!!!! Best of all they don’t cost a cent!

1. Laugh instead of “losing” it! Some of my favourite traveling memories are from India – It is one of those countries that can be so darn frustrating that at times if you don’t laugh you will sit down and cry – I made a conscious choice on that trip to laugh – although at times I did have my moments! The overall result? I remember it fondly and with a smile – how many times in life is it just as easy to laugh as it is to cry or lose it? And how much better a response would we get if we could relieve the built up tension with a big belly laugh rather than a ROAR? Try it today and see the results!

2. Sing! That’s right switch to a daggy radio station that plays songs from your youth or better still keep them in a playlist on your ipod or on a CD in your car and belt out a tune that you know all the words to.... You will be surprised how good it feels to sing your heart out – even if it is just to the dashboard of your car! Some of my personal favourites (and yes I know some of them are daggy!!!) Darryl Braithwaite –“Horses”, Johnny Farnham – “You’re the Voice”, U2 – “It’s a beautiful Day” & Pearl Jam “Alive”.

3. Escape into Nature – It doesn’t matter where you are – in the heart of the city or at home – walk outside and sit in the sun or stroll down to the local park or botanical gardens – even looking up into the sky, watching the clouds drift by and tuning in to the birds chirping can have the positive effect of instantly relieving stress. Of course if you have the time a bushwalk or a trip to the beach is wonderful – however know there are little things you can do right NOW to get into and appreciate nature – oh one more thing when was the last time you stopped at night to look at the stars?

4. Breathe – This never ceases to amaze me – that when I actually stop and concentrate on my breathing even if it’s for a short minute I can observe how shallow my breathing is. When you are feeling overwhelmed stop & breathe – it doesn’t have to be for a long time – just enough for you to become aware of some great big deep breaths– you cant get much cheaper than that – or more relaxing!

5. Will this matter to me in 1 year from now? Asking yourself this simple little question can help put things into perspective – if 1 year doesn’t work – try 2 or 3 or even 5 – the goal is to see if what you are feeling so tense and irritable over is really going to impact that greatly on your life in a year from now? Chances are it wont be that significant and whilst it may not make the issue disappear it sure will help you gain some perspective.

6. Swing – This is my absolute all time FAVOURITE de-stressing techniques and yes while you can risk looking a little funny, there is not a feeling in the world like sitting on a swing – getting as high as you can and hanging your head back and waiting for that little tummy lurch – I dare you to still feel stressed after swinging on a swing for a few minutes – oh and while your at it – wipe that smile off your face just now! tee hee gotcha!

7. Exercise – I know we all know it deep down but going for a brisk walk to clear the head, jumping in a pool and swimming a few laps or cycling round the neighbourhood has the most amazing effect on our stress levels – often its just the distraction but with exercise its also the added bonus of endorphins being released and our bodies responding! So if you are able bodied or only slightly incapacitated – exercise in whatever way you can and feel the lasting effects on your psyche.

8. Smile – I am sure as you have been reading this you have broken out a few smiles already! Its another one of our gems as the simplest forms of stress relief! Right up there with laughing and breathing, smile for no good reason and feel your heart soar! A smile can make someone elses day as well! BONUS!

9. Cook or Bake something yummy! Ok so this one may be a little harder at work – although not impossible I have been known to whip up some pumpkin scones in my work place for morning tea! The aim of this little exercise is to do something constructive and distracting and have something pleasurable to enjoy at the end! It will not only take your mind off the issue at hand but it will give you a sense of accomplishment and a nice little treat! After all you deserve it!

10. Phone a Friend – Often times we take on the stress of the world and try to deal with it all on our own, even if you don’t feel like sharing what’s going on with you a friendly voice down the end of the phone will often help soothe our soul. Go one better and pop in and see a friend if you have time – perhaps its just a cubicle or two down from you at work or perhaps its dropping in to someone’s house for a chat! Just make sure it’s a happy friend and one that makes you smile!

As you can see its not important that you know how to meditate or that you are a yogic master to relax and de-stress there are simple things you can be doing everyday to put that spring back in your step and a smile on your dial.

Here at Emerge Healing – Stress Less ....Live More is our motto and that’s why we focus on getting stressed out, “stuck” people back in their flow! Join our Healing Relaxation Class to find out more about how you can reduce your stress levels even more and get on with living your full potential – the way life was meant to be!