We are told that 'stress is the #1 killer today', so stress reduction 'is the #1 life saver today'. Stress surrounds us constantly, from pressures at work, your relationships at home, global economics, climate changes and many others. It is not stress that kills, but your inability to cope with stress does. How you cope and adapt to stress can be the difference from leading a productive and happy life ... to being unhealthy, tired and burnt out.

But what to do?

There are countless stress reduction techniques out there. Which ones are good? Which ones are best for you?

You need to use stress reduction techniques that:

• suit your needs
• fit your lifestyle
• create a total balance

Simple.

Again there are literally thousands of techniques, all developed by experts. All saying they are the best at reducing stress.

How do you sift through them to find the best for you?

You don't.

Look at techniques in groups; work out which group you identify with. Then apply a technique you enjoy. If it helps great. If not try another, until you find either a single technique or a variety that help you reduce your stress.

So which groups are there?

Mind Techniques

• Based on Meditation, these help to calm the mind which results in mental and physical stress reduction.
• These techniques include listening to tapes or CD's, using ancient Mudra (hand positions) to create a quiet mind, Western or Eastern Meditative techniques.
• Use techniques you identify with ... meditation teaches you to access levels of your mind where stress melts away. At these levels you can also use your mind to set goals, do affirmations, visualize and recharge your batteries.

Physical Exercise

• Walking, swimming, cycling, sport, Tai Chi, Yoga and other exercise can and will reduce stress.
• Exercise should be based on enjoyment, exercise you enjoy will create more benefits and quicker. More than so called 'best' exercise techniques that you don't enjoy.

Natural Techniques

• From remedies to Acupressure, there are many effective natural techniques to reduce stress and to improve your health.
• Use techniques you identify with, as they will be best for you. Each of you is different ... how stress affects you, how you cope and ... which technique will reduce stress best.
• There is Homeopathy, Bach Remedies, and Supplements you can take internally to drop stress levels. There is Acupressure, Acupuncture, Massage, Reiki, Reflexology and many other techniques that can relax and calm you ... physically and mentally.
• Using techniques that you can use at home are in my opinion best. You are able to reinforce the benefits you gain from seeing a practitioner. There are also many techniques you can use at home without consulting someone. Self-help techniques should be easy to do, quick in action and create benefits holistically ... emotional, physical and general health.

Psychological Techniques

• the West has given you many to choose from: - journaling stress - taking a break from your routines - learning to say no - time management - prioritizing tasks - and thousands more
• These are great; all can create benefits of reduced stress, increases performance and productivity at work.
• They can take time to do, and time to become a habit. They are better suited to preventing stress than removing stress.

These are the four main groups. Within each there are countless techniques you can try. It may take you weeks, months or longer to try them. Using them for the required time to see benefits, before you find them to help ... or not.

So this can create even more stress in your life. So what to do?

I have been treating patients since 1991. For many health complaints, most of them are a result of some type of stress. The most effective ways I have used to get my patients to reduce stress and prevent it returning are as follows:

lie down often

• watch TV, read a book, listen to music or just relax
• Gravity tires you out ... so laying down more keeps your energy high. Try it! Lie down for 5 minutes every hour if you can. If you can't achieve this at work, then lie down more often at home. On the floor, on the bed, or furniture ... don't sleep, just relax and lie down.

look up more

• When you look up at a 20 degree angle, you access the areas of your brain that release stress automatically.
• Go for a 5-10 minute walk a few times a day and look up. Even walking around the office can help. Walking in fresh air is even better. Stress seems to melt away when you look up...

stop thinking

• Spend 30 minutes each day not thinking. Very hard to do initially, so start with a just 2-3 minutes. Tell yourself that 'I will have no thoughts in my head'.
• Watch as you state this, your mind will become very active initially. Thoughts will crowd your head ... don't resist them. Just watch as the thoughts occur, let them complete and others occur.
• Eventually your mind will slow and become quiet. It may take a time if you are very stressed, but it will happen. As you can do it for a few minutes, extend the time to 30 minutes. There are techniques you can use to help speed up the process of slowing your mind down ... ancient Mudra (hand positions) are used to quiet the mind and awaken your potential to use your mind.

finally ... be healthy

• Healthy people are less stressed, more energized and happier.
• Using self help techniques you can improve your health easily.

Seeing a health practitioner at the same time will speed up the benefits and save time. Consult a practitioner that suits your needs: *Aches and pains - see a massage therapist, Chiropractor, Osteopath or Physiotherapist * Immune problems - Homeopathy, Naturopathy, Herbalist, Acupuncture or Acupressure * Emotional health - Reiki, Psychotherapy, Bach remedies, and many others<

• There are techniques to keep you healthy, get you healthy and to continually build your health. Self help techniques will aid any therapy no matter which needs you have.
• Health is not the absence of symptoms; it is the absence of disease. Health is being high in energy, free of dysfunction in your body and mind. Like a fitness program it takes time ... but there is no time like the present to start. Visit Fast Stress Relief.com for many self help techniques to improve your health.

Stress reduction is easy and simple. It is a process of combining simple and easy techniques that remove and prevent stress ... and that improve your health.

About the Author

Dr Graeme Teague is a Chiropractor, Kinesiologist, Homeopath and Reiki Master, practicing since 1991, treating people with physical and emotional health complaints. His focus has been to teach patients to help themselves. If you want like to link to the site, the urls to link to: Home Page Mind Techniques