Sometimes your days just end up being stressful for one reason or another. Work, family, and life events can each contribute to your levels of stress. Thankfully, there are healthy ways you can deal with that stress instead of passing it on to the people around you! Here are four different ideas you can try to reduce your stress right now:

1. Deep breathing and visualization –

Take a deep breath in through your nose, try to hold it for several seconds, and then slowly breathe out through your mouth.  Feel and imagine the stress flowing away from your body with each breath. Repeat several times as necessary.

2. Go for a short walk outdoors –

Taking a few moments to step outside can do wonders for your mindset. Especially if you make a conscious effort to focus on the world around you. Look up and see what the clouds look like today. See if you can spot birds or neighborhood animals nearby. Taking a moment to direct your focus from inside to what’s going on outside around you can be amazingly refreshing!

3. Release the tension in your major muscle groups –

A great technique for relaxation is to sit or lie down, starting from your toes and working up to your head, slowly tense up your muscles, and then relax them. Once you’ve done that, lightly massage the areas you can reach: your lower back, shoulders, neck, and head.

4. Read or listen to an audiobook –

Find a good story that captures your attention and keeps you wanting more. There are some wonderful authors out there who will make you laugh, wonder, imagine and care about their stories. Take a short break and get lost in a good book!

These were just four ideas to help you reduce some of the stress we feel in life. Give some or all of them a try and you may find yourself having a better day than you expected!