1. Write.
2. Breathe.
3. Walk.
4. Relax.
5. Laugh.

Write.
Sometimes the act of sitting down and writing out your feelings and frustrations can be therapeutic. Some medical professionals recommend creating a “stress journal” where you log stressful events and how they make you feel. Over time, the journal may be able to help you identify people, places or things that cause you stress. Once you know what is causing your stress, you can take steps to deal with the cause or your reactions.

Breathe.
It almost sounds too simple, but the act of consciously breathing can have a big impact on stress. Noted physician, Dr. Andrew Weil (link here), offers three easy to learn breathing exercises that can help reduce stress’ impact on the body.

Walk.
Take a 15 – 20 minute break away from your stressful event or environment and just walk. Walking is a form of exercise most people can do easily and cheaply. If possible, work up to 30 minutes of walking each day. Exercise is a proven way to reduce anxiety and improve your overall health.

Relax.
Participating in a calm task that you enjoy – reading, yoga or meditation – is a great way to relax. Another technique to try is progressive muscle relaxation, a relaxation technique that involves progressively tensing the body’s muscle groups for a few seconds and then relaxing the same muscles. The medical information website, WebMD , offers a helpful guide to begin progressive muscle relaxation.

Laugh.
While it may not always be easy to laugh during a stressful time, laughter can sometimes be the best medicine. Tune into a funny TV show or search for a funny video on YouTube. Laughter can distract your mind away from stress and anxiety, giving your body and mind a break.