As much as stress is part and parcel of our lives, how we manage it greatly determines its impact on our well-being. When stress is left unchecked, it can lead to both physical and mental destruction. That means developing your mindfulness level can be a big step in managing any kind of stress that comes your way. 

While consulting a therapist can help relieve your stress, practicing self-help techniques can be particularly useful in curbing your tension and worries. All you need to do is set aside some time in your busy schedule to attend to your emotional and mental well-being.

Here are simple yet useful techniques that can help you live a stress-free life.

Focus much on your breath

Practicing breathing exercises can be a simple yet powerful way of reaching your inner self and helping you live in the moment. Most of the time, stress is caused by anxiety, worry, fear, regrets, and pleasure-seeking. If you find it hard to overcome all these negative emotions, the best thing to do is take deep breaths while focusing on your breathing.

Find a quiet place, make yourself relaxed, and start breathing slowly and deeply as you count your breaths. That encourages awareness of bodily tension, which, in turn, beats any form of stress.

Practice progressive relaxation.

When you’re stressed or tense, it’s often healthier to get enough relaxation. You can try progressive relaxation by tensing different parts of your body and then relaxing them. Try that with your entire body until you feel completely relaxed. Be sure to incorporate slow, deep breaths in each session. The technique can take only 20 to 30 minutes and can greatly help you relax physically.

Creative visualization

Immersing yourself in imagination that takes you to a place where you can only hear the sound of trees, winds, or waves can really help drain your stress away. You can picture yourself in a hammock by the beach, lying in a soft green field, or sitting on a comfortable veranda, enjoying the evening breeze. That form of creative visualization can induce a state of relaxation and help lower your stress levels significantly.

• Be sure to do the following while visualizing. 
• Be in a quiet place so as to focus consistently. 
• Make your body and mind relaxed in order to seamlessly maneuver your thoughts. 
• Take slow, deep breaths before you begin the process. 
• Only focus on the good things that appeal to your soul.

Whether you’re having financial problems, worrying about the future, or experiencing any other social tension, your breath is a powerful tool to curb your stress. No matter the amount of tension you’re in, reaching out to your inner soul can make you relax. That will lead to both emotional and physical well-being, and that’s a recipe for living a happy life.