| Everyone has experienced stress in their lives. Most | | | | that you can do it anywhere. You can practice at |
| people don't know how to truly relax, though. This | | | | your desk, in rush hour traffic, or at home in the |
| article will explain three different methods of dealing | | | | backyard. As long as you have somewhere to stand |
| with stress. The first method, exercise, is an obvious, | | | | or sit, you can practice deep breathing. To begin a |
| but simple method to relax the body and mind. The | | | | breathing exercise, you can either stand or sit. For |
| second method is deep breathing. Deep breathing | | | | beginners, it is recommended to sit with your legs |
| involves focusing on breathing in certain patterns and | | | | crossed, with your hands placed on your knees. |
| relaxes the body with ease. The last method is music | | | | Regardless of the position you choose, keep your |
| therapy. While not a conventional method, it is a fun | | | | spine straight so you can focus on the expansion of |
| and simple way to calm nerves and relax. If you | | | | your ribs as you breath. Once you are in the correct |
| choose one-or all three-of these methods, you will be | | | | position, slowly breath in. Fill your lungs and pause. |
| able to relax and manage your stress. | | | | Hold in the breath, but do not force it. After your |
| Exercise | | | | pause, exhale slowly. Continue this process until you |
| The best way to relieve stress is exercise. Whether | | | | feel calm. Deep breathing, much like meditation, puts |
| you swim, hike, bike, or even hula-hoop, exercise | | | | the body into a state of relaxation, both physical and |
| helps focus the mind and calm nerves. Most people | | | | mental. If you often find yourself stressed at work, |
| choose to exercise in groups, because it provides | | | | deep breathing is the perfect relaxation method for |
| support and friendship alongside relaxation. No matter | | | | you. |
| what, you should exercise at least five times a week. | | | | Music Therapy |
| Most doctors recommend starting out with anaerobic | | | | Of all the methods, music therapy is used the most, |
| exercise, also known as "low impact" exercise. | | | | but people don't realize they're doing it. Listening to |
| Anaerobic exercise is characterized by short, but | | | | music has a physical effect on the human body. Many |
| intense workouts. For anaerobic exercise, interval | | | | studies have proven that music reduces the body's |
| training works well. Basically, interval training consists | | | | heart rate. It also raises the body's temperature. |
| of high intensity training, interspersed with low | | | | These two effects are traits of relaxation. For quick |
| intensity training. If you like running, try sprinting for | | | | relaxation using music therapy, pick out songs with a |
| one minute, jogging for thirty seconds, and sprinting | | | | slow beat and a softer sound. Rest comfortably on |
| again. Continue this pattern for twenty minutes. After | | | | the couch, cushions, or outside. Put in headphones |
| a few weeks of anaerobics, move onto aerobic | | | | and just listen to music for 20 minutes. This exercise |
| exercise. Aerobic exercise works the cardiovascular | | | | is called a "sound bath". If you've just had a stifling |
| system and is characterized by long workouts. The | | | | day of work at your desk job, pick something |
| most common aerobic exercises are running and | | | | upbeat. If you are feeling sad, listen to familiar music. |
| swimming. If you prefer working out with other | | | | You can use music therapy anywhere you can take |
| people, try volleyball, hula hooping, Tai Chi, or kendo. | | | | headphones. |
| There are many ways to relax, but exercise is the | | | | Relaxation is good for your physical and mental |
| healthiest and most effective method. | | | | health. There are many ways to relax, but exercise, |
| Deep Breathing | | | | deep breathing, and music therapy are very useful |
| Deep breathing is a very good way to relax the | | | | methods. Put these methods to use, and you will |
| body and distract the mind from stress. The best | | | | have no trouble relaxing and managing your stress. |
| thing about using deep breathing, as a stress relief, is | | | | |