Stress is a part of everyday life. However, it can become overwhelming after a prolonged period of time. The better we handle stress, the more balanced our life will be. Here are some techniques on how to reduce stress.

Manage Your Work

Work can sometimes get to us, and the only way to reduce stress is to face it. Avoid putting off work because you are thinking of what to do next. Instead, write down what you need to get done and divide it into manageable parts. When you start finishing your work part by part, you'll no longer worry as much.

Also make a priority list. Sometimes it's just not possible to do everything in one day. Thinking about how to fit an impossible number of tasks in a day will only stress you out, slow you down and waste your time. Try to put more effort into more important tasks.

Take A Break

Give your entire body a beak. A popular technique is to take a deep breath, count to 10 and release slowly. Stand up from time to time and give your body a good stretch. This will release some tense muscles. Take a power nap, since a tired body cannot handle stress as well as when it is more energized. If you've been stressed for a really long time, perhaps it's time to take a vacation.

Give your mind a break and reward yourself when you complete a certain amount of work. Have a nice cup of coffee or watch something on TV for a while. No matter what you do, take your focus somewhere else. This way when you get back to work, your mind will feel refreshed. Taking even just a 15-minute break for can reduce stress considerably.

If you absolutely must complete your work, delegate! There's nothing wrong with asking for help. You can ask someone to do your work or other chores that are low-priority. This way you have some burden taken off your shoulders.

Try Yoga

Yoga has been used for health benefits for more than 5000 years. Yoga involves stretching through different poses and controlled breathing. It is known to have a positive effect psychologically and reduce stress. The best thing about yoga is you can do it almost anywhere. You can get a DVD for beginners or join a class at the gym.

Exercise

Exercise benefits both physical and mental health. It includes cardiovascular training, strength training and stretching. When we exercise, our body releases chemicals called endorphins. These are also called happy chemicals, since these naturally make us feel good.

Eat Well

Never underestimate the power of food. If we eat the right ones, we'll be able to reduce stress naturally. Bodies that are well nourished are known to have better coping capabilities when it comes to stress. Begin your day with a healthy breakfast and maintain your energy levels throughout the day with nutritious and balanced meals.

As you can see there are immediate ways as well as long-term solutions to reduce stress. It's all in the matter of you taking the first step and really being proactive about getting some peace of mind. Treat both your body and mind to achieve that great quality life you've always wanted.