10 Quick Stress Reduction Tips: Things You Can Do Right Now

Feeling stressed? Here are ten things that you can do right now to help you relieve your stress.

1. Make sure you are getting enough sleep. Sleep does so much to help the mind and body deal with stress. If you aren't getting enough, make it a priority to change your evening habits so that you get solid sleep at night. If nothing seems to be working, get professional help. Your physician may have some ideas you haven't tried.

2. Make sure you are eating right. If, by noon, all you have consumed is coffee and a donut, you'll be a jittery basket case. Make sure to balance your diet with lean protein and complex carbohydrates throughout the day. And make sure you are drinking enough water.

3. Play "time warp." Ask yourself, "Will this stress still be bothering me next month or next year?" If you can see the situation as temporary or something that is likely to take care of itself, it might be easier to let the stress go.

4. Ask yourself, "Who do I know how is great at managing stress?" Then ask yourself what that person would do if he or she were faced with the same situation. (Or call the person and ask.) This always gives me key insights in handling stressful situations for myself.

5. Write down your feelings in your journal. Take pencil to paper and start writing as fast as you can so you can get all of your emotions down on paper. Then, go back, re-read and write three possible solutions to the problem.

6. Is there something for which you need to apologize, or do you need to make amends to someone? If so, the sooner you can get to having that conversation, the better you'll feel. If the situation isn't your fault (so you don't want to apologize) but you still want to re-open the lines of communication, you can always say that you are sorry for making the person upset. That can break the ice and get the other person talking so you can work out the problem together and put the stress behind you.

7. Count to ten. If you are really upset, take two or three deep breaths before you respond to a stressful situation.

8. Use "I statements." This can take some practice, but it's a really useful communication tool. Here, you are simply stating your feelings. It also helps to rephrase what you hear the other person saying.

9. Find a mentor. Find someone to talk to who won't allow you to gossip or complain but will be a good listener and can help you find some valid solutions to the situation that is stressing you out.

10. Go for a walk or run. There's nothing like exercise, preferably outside, to completely and quickly change your mental outlook.