Simple stress relievers

Heavy workload, traffic jams, supermarket queues and screaming children are all too familiar aspects in the lives of many individuals. If you are finding the stresses and strains of everyday life getting on top of you then take a time out and try one of these great stress reduction techniques from all about you:

Breathe deeply
Yogic breathing exercises have been found to lower levels of certain stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol, so next time you are feeling stressed or under pressure try the following: Breathing expert Alan Dolan recommends concentrating on the lower abdomen and inhalation. He advises encouraging the belly to rise, taking notice of the point three inches below the navel and breathing in deeply there. Allow the lower belly to fill up by breathing in for a count of four before exhaling naturally.

Chew gum
An Australian study has recently revealed that those who chew gum are 16 per cent less stressed than those who do not. Experts say it is the act of chewing which stimulates the brain chemicals associated with stress relief.

Put the kettle on
According to a study conducted by City University London, the act of making tea helps to reduce anxiety levels as it is strongly associated with subconscious feelings of communality, the amino present also have stress reducing properties.

Laugh
A 2001 US study revealed that laughter really is the best medicine, helping to reduce the number of stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol that your body produces.