31 stress-reduction tips and tricks to slow down life

I don’t think that I’ll shock you if I tell you that stress is at an all-time high for families around the globe. So many people are now dealing with financial situations that have been unseen in the last 70 years or so.

I think that it’s going to be hard to eliminate stress completely from your life, but there are a few simple things that you can do to help yourself cope when times are difficult and unpredictable.

I’ve interviewed a few medical experts who have confirmed that since October 2008, they’ve seen a spike in the number of patients who come in with symptoms that are a results of this “new recessionary” economy.

Here’s a simple list of 31 great stress-reduction tips and tricks:

1) Go for a massage at a massage school to keep the cost low: a lot of massage students need real people to practise on!

2) Wear bright colours today, all day – you’ll strike up conversations with loads of new people

3) Buy two bouquets of flowers. One to keep and one to give away

4) Meditate by listening to soothing relaxation music

5) Buy some nice bath bubbles and check out for an hour.

6) Take a yoga class or buy a yoga DVD for home-use

7) Hang out at your favorite bookstore and browse through the latest published books and best-sellers.

#8) Invite a friend out to a movie, a concert or a play

9) Organize your photos

10) Grab your camera and rediscover your city!

11) Learn how to make your own soaps

12) Go to a museum exhibit

13) Don’t forget to volunteer

14) Take a cooking class

15) Go on tour with Mother Nature (see the woods, parks, ocean, mountains, desert or new buildings in your city)

16) Put on your favourite music really loud and JUST DANCE!

17) Do what the Brits do and have a cup of tea whenever you feel stressed!

18) Join a book club

19) Treat yourself to a manicure or a pedicure

20) Go for a free makeover in a department store

21) Brew a special cup of tea and invite someone to join you

22) Learn how to make a new recipe

23) Get a new pet

24) Paint the kids’ room a fresh, new colour

25) De-clutter your home and sell whatever you’re not using

26) Surprise your family with a fun Sunday drive into the country

27) Make a snow angel with your husband (in the winter) or go for a walk in the park during the spring season

28) Take an art class such as photography, painting, sewing, knitting or anything else you’ve always wanted to learn

29) Plan the next family vacation … even if it’s going to be one week spent at home

30) Blow bubbles with your kids

31) Go for a very long walk

>>>> What other ways do you de-stress? Do you use any of the ones listed above to help you cope with difficult days?

Photo by visualpanic