Exercise: Almost any type of exercise is a great stress buster. Physical exercise not only promotes overall fitness, but it helps to manage emotional stress and tension as well. For one thing, exercise can emotionally remove one temporarily from a stressful environment or situation. Being fit and healthy also increases the ability to deal with stress as it arises.

Relaxation: Relaxation techniques usually involve refocusing attention to something calming and increasing awareness of the body. Common relaxation techniques include Progressive Muscle Relaxation, yoga and time management. Click here for an easy relaxation technique

Progressive Muscle Relaxation: Relaxation techniques are an essential part of stress management. Relaxation isn't just about finding some quiet time or enjoying a hobby. Relaxation is a process that helps repair the toll that stress takes on the mind and body. One of the most simple and easily learned techniques for relaxation is Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR). The process of PMR is simply that of isolating one muscle group, creating tension for 8 -10 seconds and then letting the muscle relax and the tension go. This method is based on the idea that mental relaxation will be a natural outcome of physical relaxation. Although muscle activity is involved, this technique requires no special skills or conditioning, and it can be learned by almost anyone. PMR is generally practiced for 10-20 minutes a day. Practice and patience are required for maximum benefits.

Yoga: Pranayama (Sanskrit prana=vital energy; ayama=to expand) is a form of yoga which places particular emphasis on techniques of breathing. It also involves other physical movements, particularly stretching. Among the benefits of yoga are increased flexibility and capacity for relaxation. No special level of conditioning is required; yoga can be learned by nearly anyone. Classes, books and videos are widely available. Those with special or chronic physical conditions will need to get clearance from their doctor before beginning.

Time management:Good time management skills are critical for effective stress control. In particular, learning to prioritize tasks and avoid over-commitment are critical measures to make sure that you’re not over-scheduled. Always using a calendar or planner, and checking it faithfully before committing to anything, is one way to develop time management skills. You can also learn to identify time-wasting tasks by keeping a diary for a few days and noticing where you may be losing time. For example, productivity experts recommend setting aside a specific time (or multiple times) each day to check and respond to e-mail and messages rather than being a continual slave to incoming information. Banishing procrastination is another time management skill that can be learned or perfected.