We all experience stress. It is a natural and necessary part of life.  However, persistent stress that is not resolved is deemed ‘distress,’ and it can lead to anxiety, depression, diminished health and for us emotional eaters, extreme stress and distress can lead to weight gain.

To avoid this, we need to collect as many useful stress reduction tools as possible, and put them to use.

Here follow four tips that range from ‘extreme’ to ‘serene.’

1.  Ice it out.  Wrap a few pieces of ice in a napkin, or two.  Hold this ice pack on your hand.  Focus on the intense sensation of the icy cold on your hand.  This may seem extreme, but it works!  Try it and report in!

2.  Escape Into the Pages.  Grab a stack of magazines and either find a good article to get lost in, or focus on the photos.  Which delight your soul?  Calm you?  Rip ‘em out and start a ‘distress file.’   Don’t think, just rip!

3.  Deep Breathing.  Inhale slowly to the count of 5, feeling your belly expand.  Pause.  Exhale slowly, counting to 5, feeling your belly deflate.  Do this five times and then, five times again.

4.  Tap It Out.  Rapidly tap your fingers on your neck and shoulders. At the same time give yourself permission to let it go by simply saying to yourself, aloud if you like, “Let it go.  Let it go.  Let it go.”

How do you relieve stress?  Any outside the box tips are always greatly appreciated!!!