Ten Ways to Reduce Stress, When You Only Have Ten Minutes

AT WORK
Find a quiet area. If are you alone, close your eyes and try to think positive thoughts. If you are rushing, slow down and decrease the adrenaline in your body.

AT HOME
Find a quiet and comfortable area. Close your eyes and listen to relaxing music and think only of things you love to do or experience. Leave the answering machine turned on. Allow your muscles to relax and your eyes to rest.

TAKE A WARM SHOWER OR BATH
Let the water relax your muscles and allow the stress to dissolve into the water. Allow your mind and body to go ‘limp’.

MEDITATE
Learn how to calm your mind and body through meditation. If you need some help, buy a book or tape or find a class to start off. Don’t worry if you are doing it right, there are hundreds of different ways to relax and meditate. Find what works for you.

EXERCISE
Take a brisk ten minute walk, ride a bike or do some other aerobic activity. It will help rid your body of a lot of accumulated ‘stress related’ chemicals. You will find yourself more relaxed and more alert after a moderate amount of activity.

CHILL OUT
Use a flannel or cotton wool and soak it in cold water. Apply the cool compress to your eyes, forehead, face and neck areas. Concentrate on the soothing effects and don’t think of business, or what time it is. You’ll emerge more relaxed and refreshed than you might imagine!

CALL A FRIEND
Phone a friend! Make sure when you call they have ten minutes to talk, and tell them you are calling to take your mind off your day - but try not to just dump on them.

EAT A HEALTHY SNACK
Stress depletes us of vitamins and minerals as well as lowering our blood sugar. A healthy snack like a piece of fruit, a muesli bar or a glass of freshly squeezed juice will revive you.

FIND A WAY TO HAVE A GOOD LAUGH
If we have a laugh or someone makes us giggle, then everything seems less difficult. Watch a funny film or read a book. Listen to happy music. Look at some old photos. Play with children or animals.

TAKE TIME OUT
Take a breather, do something different. Put the thing that is stressing you to one side and come back to it later.

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