Ways To Reduce Stress

Ways To Reduce Stress

Overview

In addition to meditation, progressive muscle relaxation, and breathing exercises, you might try these other ways to relieve stress.

Ways to relax your mind

Ways to relax your body

  • Massage, such as a shoulder and neck massage, uses touch to relieve tension. You can see a massage therapist or have a friend or family member give you a massage. You can even give yourself a massage.
  • Yoga uses breathing, meditation, and exercises, called postures or poses, that stretch the body. You can do yoga to help you relax.
  • Biofeedback teaches you how to use your mind to control skin temperature, muscle tension, heart rate, or blood pressure. All of these things can be affected by stress.

Natural health products

Some people use natural health products such as valerian, gingko, St. John's Wort, and chamomile to relieve stress symptoms such as anxiety and insomnia. But natural health products like these can be sold with limited or no research on how well they work. Talk with your doctor if you are taking natural health products, especially if you have another health condition.

Credits

Current as of: October 20, 2022

Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:
Patrice Burgess MD - Family Medicine
Donald Sproule MDCM, CCFP - Family Medicine
Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine
Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine
Steven Locke MD - Psychiatry
Christine R. Maldonado PhD - Behavioral Health