Relaxation Techniques for Relief of Anxiety and Stress

Thirty minutes of vigorous exercise a day raises the levels of feel-good chemicals called endorphins and norepinephrine in your brain. This release of endorphins makes you more relaxed. Some exercise ideas are aerobics, walking, jogging, dancing, swimming or hiking.

One particularly common sense technique for reducing stress is simple avoidance. Avoid the situations and events that stress you out. For example, if balancing the checkbook or paying the bills gives you an anxiety attack, ask your spouse if he can do it instead.

Take good care of yourself. Getting eight hours of sleep at night, avoiding caffeine and maintaining good nutrition habits can all keep you healthy and stress-free.

Devoting time to yourself is important for reducing stress as well. Take a few minutes each day to do something you enjoy, or simply sit alone and soak up the quiet. Make sure to have an "escape" area at work that you can go to when you get your break. This can be a bathroom stall, a stairwell, park bench or supply closet. Go there and just breathe, clear your mind and recharge.

If you find that you are always trying to please others, this may be a big part of your problem. Being overbooked and overworked can be a major stressor. Learn to say no when others ask you to do something you really don't want to do. Eventually, you will only be doing things that you yourself enjoy doing.