While stress is normal here and there, having too much can harm your health. If you have too much stress you can have anxiety, or even a heart attack. Here, you will find practical advice to help you eliminate some of your unneeded stress.

If you find yourself feeling overextended or highly stressed, think of a relaxing scene. Imagine a calming warm shower flowing over your body that washes away any tension or stress that you are feeling. You could also shut your eyes and then breathe slowly while thinking about a calm scene, such as walking through a meadow or laying on the beach.

One effective but often overlooked stress reliever is the company of animals. Research has concluded that petting animals for a little bit can relieve stress.

Try to figure out what is causing your stress, and then figure out how you can remove whatever it is from your life. Try to reduce the friends in your life who elevate your stress level or cause you to become angry for no reason. Finding and eliminating stress sources in your life will really make a difference in your emotional well being, and will make you healthier, too.

A conversation with a family member or friend can be an excellent way to reduce stress. Expressing your emotions is a great way to feel better. Seek out loved ones who are willing and able to meet you for a chat whenever you need them.

TIP! Use aromatherapy to reduce your stress. Certain scents, such as chamomile and lavender, have been associated with eliciting a relaxed response from people who smell those scents.

Try reducing your stress with an exciting video game. Your mind is busy concentrating on strategy while you play, clearing your mind and leaving less room for stress. Either play with a friend or play alone to better your mood.

Do not add to your stress by being less than truthful. Studies have shown that even small lies can cause a great feeling of guilt and make people anxious that the truth will be found out.

A healthier lifestyle may eliminate some stress from your life. Things like improving your diet, getting more exercise, or getting a good nights rest all help your body to fight off stress and anxiety. When you take care of your body, you feel better about yourself and that will help you when you are trying to relax in stressful times.

TIP! Stress causes some people to begin using drugs or alcohol for relief. This is how they get temporary relief from the stressful feelings that overwhelm their lives.

A good way to combat issues you are having with learning your course material is to simply hire a tutor or visit your school’s tutoring center. A tutor will be there to help you understand the material better so you don’t feel stressed when you have to take an exam. Understanding the material helps to reduce anxiety while instilling confidence.

Learn to manage your time and stress levels by saying “no.” Helping other people is important and fulfilling, but if you spend too much time on other people you do not leave time for yourself.

If you are having to deal with stress, remember to stop and breath deeply occasionally. A deep breath can be quite calming when you feel anxiety or stress start to build up. Research has even shown that it can reduce these feelings if you make deep breathing a habit.

Heart Rate

Teach yourself to be aware of your breathing. Breathing deeply can slow your heart rate and deliver oxygen to your body cells more effectively. Most people, when under duress, breathe from their upper chest. This shallow type of breathing, speeds up your heart rate and tightens your chest muscles, adding to the stressed feeling.

A great tip that is easily done is to pay extra attention to instructions whenever you are feeling stressed. In order to relieve stress, always be sure to listen attentively when instructions are given. Common examples include: when your boss is giving directions; when your doctor is giving advice; when a teacher or tutor is teaching.

TIP! You may think there is no way to completely escape stress, though it actually can be done. Think first about what makes you feel stressed.

As you read earlier in this article, stress has the potential to cause your body harm if you experience higher than normal levels. Fortunately, there are many simple, yet effective techniques to help you reduce excess stress. Read these tips and apply them as best as possible to begin cutting away at the stress that weighs you down.