Laughter is the best medicine

You know you feel better when you are able to laugh and even just for a few moments forget your troubles. Go to a movie, watch a comedy on the TV or read a funny book.

You will feel better because every time you laugh increased oxygen rushes to your organs, blood flow increases, and stress reduces.

If you can’t raise a laugh, just smile at something or somebody because even that is enough to start to lower your stress levels.

Stroke a pet

If you haven’t got one, visit friends who do and give their pet a good cuddle. Animals give you unconditional love, and a stroke of their fur releases feel-good brain chemicals like serotonin, prolactin, and oxytocin.

At the same time, it decreases the amount of the damaging stress hormones that are released. That can mean lower blood pressure, less anxiety, and even a boost in immunity.

Mess increases stress

Being surrounded by too much stuff can be overwhelming and contribute to stress. It brings on anxiety when you can’t find your the things you need: your keys, your phone etc.

Its is a fact that if you de-clutter you will de-stress. Just don’t make it worse by trying to do too much and overwhelming yourself.

Just tackle a drawer, a shelf, or a tabletop at a time and you will soon see results in a calmer atmosphere, and a calmer you. An uncluttered space can feel satisfying and restorative. As an added plus, spring cleaning is good exercise, burning more than 250 calories an hour.

Get out in the garden

Certainly gardening itself can be relaxing, but in particular mowing the lawn will make a big difference to your mood.

Apparently the smell of freshly mown grass actually can make you feel more relaxed as scientists say chemicals from newly cut grass help block the release of stress hormones in the brain.

Get more vitamin C

Researchers say vitamin C may help people manage their stress more effectively, in part by lowering levels of stress hormones like cortisol.

As an added bonus, vitamin C-rich foods such as orange juice, grapefruit juice, strawberries, or sweet red peppers can help boost your immune system.

Sing out

Singing lowers stress levels and making music in any form is relaxing. Singing releases stored muscle tension and decreases the levels of a stress hormone called cortisol in your blood stream.

It also improves mental alertness, improved blood circulation and an oxygenated blood stream which allows more oxygen to reach the brain.

So sing along to th radio or better still join a choir as choral members who were surveyed said singing put them in a better mood and made them feel less stressed.

Singing also can be good for your breathing and posture, as well as your heart and immune system and social interaction, which also reduces stress levels.

Walk this way

Exercise is a great way to ease stress as it helps your body produce endorphins — the neurotransmitters in your brain that make you feel good.

It also forces you to focus, helping you forget what’s making you anxious, particularly being out in the fresh air and sunshine can boost your mood.

Walking is often under rated, but if you walk briskly for at least 30 minutes, you’ll meet daily exercise recommendations, and ramp up stress-busting benefits even more.

Breathe deeply

The simplest de-stress technique is just to breathe in more deeply, in for a count of five and out for the same for just a few breaths can make all the difference. Deep breathing sends oxygen surging through your bloodstream, helping to calm your entire body

As a bonus if you also inhale aromas such as lavender or rosemary they can also put you into a more relaxed state as they can lower your levels of the stress hormone cortisol.