Last Updated on April 7, 2017

Here are 3 simple techniques you can use throughout your day to lower your stress. Try them out and see if they improve your life… Technique #1: A Sigh of Relief Either stand up or sit straight in your chair. Next, take a deep breath, deeply expanding your lungs, and make a small sigh as you exhale (like the sigh you make when you get a great back massage). Then inhale as usual and do it again. Repeat this process 7 or 8 times. Technique #2: Take A Hike! When things get crazy, take a 3 minute hike. Get up, step outside and take a walk around your office or home. As you walk, take slow, deep breaths, and focus your attention on the nature around you: trees, grass, birds, flowers, etc. If you can’t get outside, the take a walk around your office or desk…or, better yet, if you have stairs, try several minutes of stair-climbers to get your heart and lungs moving. Technique #3: Shoulder Stretch Bring your shoulders back as if you are trying to touch your shoulder blades together. Push them together hard, but not so hard that you hurt yourself. Hold your shoulder blades together for 10 seconds, then release and push them forward. Repeat 4 or 5 times. Next, lower your chin to your chest and slowly roll your head back and forth (don’t roll your head backward as you can compress your cerebral spine).