Get Relief Now! 7 Fast-Acting Stress Busters

If you've been around for a few years, you know how hard it can be to even think about improving your life with a world of stress surrounding you.

When you're in a state of tension or stress, problems seem overwhelming, your ability to focus vanishes, and getting motivated is out of the question. Fortunately, there is a solution.

By putting just a handful of simple tips and tricks to work, you can free yourself from the web of stress and return to a state of mind that is ready to take on any challenge!

1. Get It In Writing

One of the most common causes of stress is trying to keep a hundred and one tasks in mind simultaneously. Not only does this keep your mind racing at all hours, it also makes it more likely that an item or two may fall through the cracks - a stress-causing situation.

To overcome this obstacle, get your thoughts out of your head and write them down on paper. Once they're in ink, you'll no longer be forced to be a walking filing cabinet and you'll be assured that nothing will be overlooked.

2. Break It Down

Taking on any task or project all at once is enough to make even the most calm individuals stressed out of their minds. It is far too easy to become overwhelmed by tackling a problem from all angles in a single glance. Instead, break things down into bite-sized chunks.

If you have to clean the house, don't think about cleaning the 'entire' house. Break the task down into rooms or areas and think of nothing else until you complete that chunk of space. Need to help improve your children's grades? Don't tackle their entire education at once. Focus on the next test for the next class.

All change is a result of small steps taken in the same general direction - super small steps. Keep this in mind the next time you come up against a potentially stressful problem or challenge.

3. Get Enough Rest

Nothing makes matters worse than a lack of rest. It may be common to cut down on the number of sleeping hours you get each night with so much to do and so little time in which to do it, but the outcome is always the same.

Instead of getting more accomplished, you're ineffective and irritable, not to mention twice as likely to become stressed out.

When the time for bed rolls around, stop what you're doing and get the sleep you need. You can then return to the task the next day with renewed energy and stress-free focus.

4. Think Here and Now

You can only do one thing at a time. No matter how big your to-do list may be, you can't do a thing about items ten, eleven, or twelve until one through nine are taken care of. And you can't do a thing about item two until the first step it accomplished.

This is fantastic, stress-releasing news. There is no need to worry your mind with what you have to do next because you can't do anything about it. You can only do something about the here and now, the one thing in front of you.

The rest of your tasks and responsibilities will get their chance for action, but until that time comes, focus only on the one thing in front of you.

5. Delegate

While some initially get a sense of strength from taking everything on their own shoulders, the pride they began with is soon replaced with stress and frustration.

You don't have to do it all by yourself. Too much to do at home? Get your kids or spouse to lend a hand. Projects at work piling up? Ask a colleague to pitch in. With a team behind you, you'll accomplish more and experience the energy-draining stress less.

6. Laugh!

Laughter is not only the best medicine, it's also the best stress reliever. When things get to be too much, head to a guaranteed outlet of humor and fun.

Call a friend who always has a great story to share, spend a few minutes at a joke-of-the day Web site, or simply make yourself laugh out loud. When the stress is replaced with laughter, you can return to the task at hand in a brand new state of mind.

7. Give Your Brain a Break

For many people, the problems at the office follow them right out the door and into their homes. The cell phone is still screaming and the deadlines to come are still in mind and creating an ever-building tension.

Nothing good can come of bringing your work problems home with you, so it's time to make a new rule for yourself. The moment you leave work, leave work. Tell yourself that you'll get to it all tomorrow, but the night is time for your mind to take a little break from the daily grind.

With these simple tips put to use, you can break free from the stress of daily living and re-ignite the motivation you need to enjoy your life!