Stress Busters

Use these four tips to release hidden, pent-up stress tonight.


It’s the end of another working week, and without even realising it you’re probably
carrying around a whole load of little frustrations that have built up since the alarm
went off on Monday morning.

So to ensure you wake up tomorrow feeling revived and ready to enjoy the weekend, try
these four stress-busting tips:

Inhale through your nose and breathe deeply until you feel your stomach tightening. Hold
your breath for 10 seconds, then exhale. Close your eyes and try and focus on something calming – maybe a favourite place or a sea or mountain view.

Repeat this three times. On the third cycle – you should feel weight lift from your shoulders.

Laugh out loud. Don’t hold back – really let out a loud belly laugh. If you have a DVD of a favourite comedy, line up a bit you find really funny and just let go. This may seem a bit loony-tunes, but scientists have conducted extensive research into the benefits of laughter.

Laughter releases chemicals in the brain called endorphins, which help ease up muscles and numb pain.

Treat each part of your body to a little de- stressing. Focus all your energy on one part of your body and ease little aches and pains away with gentle movement. Start with your neck and shoulders, gently rotating your head until you fell little cricks being ironed out, then move to your arms, hands and so on until your whole
body feels relaxed.

Find a space away from others, and ARGUE! This is a great way to get pressures and grievances out of your system. Imagine the cause of your frustration standing right in front of you, and have it out with them! Shout, scream, threaten... really let rip. It may be quite exhausting but you’ll feel better for it.