How To Relieve Stress Quickly.No matter how happy your life is, let’s be honest: no one can escape stress . No one can predict whether tomorrow will be happier or worse and no one dares to say: “I never get stressed” , regardless of whether you are an ordinary person or a billionaire.

So why are some people happy and others unhappy? Just simple. The difference lies in the ability to manage stress. Happy people always have a way to worry and fear does not overwhelm them, while, unhappy people are completely controlled by stress.

 Try these 13 ways to help reduce stress, improve your mood, and increase productivity at work.How To Relieve Stress Quickly

1. Write down your problems

Whether you’re anxious about preparing an important presentation or the results of a future project, simply writing down your concerns can help reduce stress and improve productivity . Worrying about an evolving situation impairs short-term memory by draining your brain’s “processor” power. By writing down problems, you stop replaying them over and over again in your head and identify the true sources of stress. As a result, your short-term memory resources will be freed up, and you will be able to perform more efficiently when the need arises.

2. Watch funny videos

Laughter not only helps to unwind and clears the brain, but also reduces the stress response . It reduces blood pressure and pulse rate, improves blood circulation, relaxes muscles and promotes the production of endorphins. And it not only helps fight stress, but also enhances creativity and productivity .

3. Turn off the monitor for 10 minutes

Monitors of computers and smartphones, TV screens attract our attention from the moment we wake up until we go to sleep. The resulting computer vision syndrome leads to eye fatigue, headache and neck pain, nausea, and increased anxiety and depression. So try to switch off as often as possible – literally. Instead of checking out social media during your break or texting a friend, turn off your monitor, close your laptop, and let your eyes rest. Read a book or magazine, go for a walk (don’t play Pokemon Go!) or make yourself a cup of coffee and chat with a colleague.

4. Try Progressive Muscle Relaxation

This relaxation technique relieves muscle tension resulting from stress. You need to tense and then relax the main muscle groups for five seconds each. This will help slow your breathing and heart rate, stabilize your blood pressure, and help you relax.

5 . Pet the dog (or take a walk in a dog park)

Playing with your dog helps lower blood pressure, promotes the release of feel-good hormones such as oxytocin, and reduces the production of the stress hormone cortisol . By the way, dogs are great listeners, so you can safely share your worries with them without fear that they will judge you.

6 . Snack but don’t overeat

We are often advised not to stress-eat, but sometimes you can treat yourself to a treat without harming your figure. In fact, a healthy snack contributes to a slight increase in blood sugar and, as a result, a good mood . The main thing is not to reach for a box of donuts, but to choose foods that have proven to be effective in combating stress , such as berries, nuts, dark chocolate and oatmeal. Also  remember to eat slowly, enjoying every bite, rather than chewing on the run.

7 . Breathe deeply

You don’t have to go to a yoga studio to experience the full benefits of deep breathing that can lower blood pressure, help you relax and calm your nervous system. Plus, it’s a great way to relieve stress—quickly, efficiently, and discreetly, even in a crowded office. Just inhale for four counts and then exhale for four counts.

8 . Listen to music

Music, especially classical music, is a powerful tool in the fight against stress , helping to reduce heart rate, blood pressure and levels of harmful stress hormones. It also improves mood and self-esteem. ( I offer for example my personal stress-relieving playlist . Share your playlists in the comments!)

9 . Take up meditation

Recent studies have proven that a few minutes of meditation a day can have a significant impact on stress levels . What’s more, meditation improves attention and mental capacity, and even increases the density of gray matter in the brain. You can download a free meditation app like Calm , listen to meditation podcasts on iTunes, or watch YouTube videos to carve out a few moments of peace right at your desk.

10 . Look out the window

Take a few minutes to just look out the window and take notes. Admiring nature (real nature, not the picture on the monitor) helps to relax and slow down the heartbeat, and by dreaming, you unleash your creativity and can find an unexpected solution to the problem.

11. Remind yourself of what is important to you. 

Do you have a gratitude journal? Don’t be too quick to dismiss the idea — keeping a gratitude journal reduced stress levels by 27% in a group of Stanford University students, and recent research from Yale and Columbia University found that using gratitude journals increased attention, receptivity, and energy, as well as boosting the immune system. system and reduce anxiety.

12. Call friends

When you communicate with a close friend, your body’s production of the stress hormone cortisol decreases, and talking with a loved one can trigger the so-called ” relaxation response “. So the next time you’re worried about signing a new client, call a friend or mom.

13. Take up a soothing hobby

Solve a Sudoku, spend ten minutes knitting, read a chapter of a detective novel, tend to a bonsai plant—whatever your hobby, it helps you take your mind off work and focus on your favorite pastime, which means it’s a great opportunity to reduce anxiety and stress.

An all-in-one way to reduce stress levels

Instead of fighting stress, reduce its level by any means through the organization of the workflow. Try Wrike project management software to increase your productivity at work and get your projects done on time without stress.