Whether it's related to an issue at work, a fight with a friend, or problems with family, everyone feels stressed sometimes. Too much or prolonged stress can lead to physical and emotional exhaustion. In fact, research has shown that around 12 million adults in the UK see their GP with mental health problems each year. Most of these suffer from anxiety and
depression and much of this is stress- related. So what can be done to reduce and prevent stress? As of this moment, here is our list which we hope you will find it helpful:

1. Breathe deep.
Taking a deep breath has been shown to lower cortisol levels, which can help reduce stress and anxiety . Studies suggest deep breathing can also cause a temporary drop in blood pressure.

Tip ＃1: Take a 5-minute break and focus on your breathing. Sit up straight, eyes closed, with a hand on your belly. Slowly inhale through your nose, feeling the breath start in your abdomen and work its way to the top of your head. Reverse the process as you exhale through your mouth.

2. Spark some scents.
Studies suggest aromatherapy can be a good way to relieve stress . Certain aromas (like lavender) have been consistently shown to reduce stress levels. In fact, the scent of lavender eases anxiety and insomnia.

Tip ＃2: Try one or two drops of lavender on either your pillow or your forehead before going to sleep and it beautifully help.

3. Listen to music.
Research points to multiple ways in which music can help relieve stress, from triggering biochemical stress reducers to assisting in treating stress associated with medical procedures.

4. Drink tea.
Camomile tea is the traditional favourite for calming the mind but even normal tea may help us fight stress. One study found that drinking black tea leads to lower post-stress cortisol levels and greater feelings of relaxation.

5. Laugh it off.
Laughter can reduce the physical effects of stress (like fatigue) on the body.
One of the best documented examples of the effect laughter can have on health involves the writer Norman Cousins, who was diagnosed with a debilitating spinal disease and given a one in 500 chance of survival. Rather than stay in hospital, he checked into a hotel where he took large doses of vitamin C and devised a treatment programme consisting of positive behaviours such as laughter, love and joy.
He watched as much comedy as he could and eventually, his disease went into remission and he was able to return to work.
He wrote: "I made the joyous discovery that 10 minutes of genuine belly laughter had an anaesthetic effect and would give me at least two hours of pain-free sleep."


6. Exercise!.
Exercise in almost any form can act as a stress reliever. Being active bumps up the production of your brain's feel-good neurotransmitters, called endorphins and distract you from daily worries as it improves your mood.

7. Get a massage.
Getting a good massage does more than alleviate physical pain. One of the primary goals of massage is relaxation, so the calm it brings to stress and anxiety sufferers can only be beneficial. It lowers blood pressure, reduces muscular tension, increase the production of endorphins, your body's natural "feel good" chemical and improves both mood and sleep quality. Studies also suggest massage may also help improve body image.

8. Take a nap.
Napping has been shown to reduce cortisol levels, which aids in stress relief.

9. Hug it out.
Hugging may actually reduce blood pressure and stress levels in adults.

10. Hang with your pet.
Or, as we’ve put it before, just get a dog. Dog owners have been shown to be less stressed out—most likely thanks to having a buddy to cuddle.

11. Take a walk.
A quiet, meditative stroll can do wonders for stress relief, especially when we step outdoors. Try not to rush, and take whatever pace feels most natural.

12. Sexual Intercourse.
Studies have shown sex can actually decrease the physical symptoms of stress, like lowering blood pressure, keeps your immune system strong against germs, viruses, and other intruders, lowers heart attack risk, improves sleep, makes prostate / cervical cancel less likely.

We hope this helped a bit to improve your busy lifestyle. We all need to relax and following at least one of this suggestions would improve your life significantly. Of course, do not forget the main one… massage.. ;-)