How To Reduce Stress

We all have to deal with various stressful events in different parts of our lives, be it job related stress, death of family, end of a relationship or knowing how to cope with financial stress. In addition to possessing the skills that apply to each area, it is also important to possess general stress management techniques so you know how to reduce stress effectively in all areas of your life. Let's now have 3 quick-fire skills that are just the job.

1. No more - Taking on too much is a recipe for stress and when you're already under stress, it's crucial that you don't pour fuel on the fire. Ellen is a good friend of mine who is dealing with a serious health issue right now and her friend is having relationship problems and is turning to Ellen. It's dialling-up the stress right when she doesn't need it. If you're having to cope with a major event in your life that you need to fully concentrate on, it is so important to place yourself first. To avoid exacerbating the stress, just say "no", politely and firmly, explaining that now is not a good time. You can help others when your situation has improved.

2. All or nothing - Thinking in absolute terms is one of the commonest symptoms of stressful illnesses and it works by placing a "good" or "bad" meaning to events. Whenever you are facing a stressful situation, instead of ascribing an absolute good or bad meaning, seek out meanings that lie somewhere in between. Far better is to strive to apply various meanings to each event you are facing as rarely will an event be absolutely black or white and when you think in the many shades that lie in-between, stress will be relieved greatly. If you're looking for one powerful technique that will show you how to reduce stress quickly, this is it.

3. Float away - Another habit performed by many people suffering from stressful illnesses to continually rake over events from the past, particularly sad or unpleasant experiences. There was hardly a day passed by without me dragging up unhappy experiences from way back, with the sole result of letting them hurt me even more. When I started to learn Spanish, I came across a phrase that helped me to breakout of this destructive habit. Here's the saying:

Agua que no has de beber déjala correr - If it's not for you then leave it alone, or literally: Water that you shouldn't drink let it run

This is how I now view the situations and events that caused me so much pain. This really is an excellent aid if, like I was, you're bringing your past into your present then it will enable you to let go of these memories once and for all. Acknowledge that it's all water you shouldn't drink and see all of it floating off on huge waves of water, let it all pass you by as it flows off into the distance.

Each of these techniques will help you to deal with a variety of situations, be it workplace stress management, financial issues, the past, moving house, to name just a few. Put them into action along with your other stress management strategies and you'll enjoy fast relief from stress, anxiety and depression undoubtedly.