Because of the link between your body and mind, if one suffers, they both suffer. That is why you feel tried and run down when you get stressed out, and it feels like your mind cannot escape the things that are causing your stress. This can leave you feeling poorly and trapped by your problems. The good news is that because of the link between your mind and body, your stress management techniques can focus on either your mind or body.

One common complaint from people who are stressed is that they feel tired and run down, even if they sleep more than usual. Although you do not feel like doing anything except sitting around and sleeping, this will only make you feel less energetic. Oddly enough, exercise, of nearly any kind, will make you feel better. Although many people will jog or go to the gym for a stress relief session, you do not need to do anything that extreme. Even a walk around the block will improve your mood. If you do not feel like going outside, there are varieties of quick workouts you can do in your home, such as aerobics or yoga.

Doing aerobic exercise is a popular choice when it comes to stress relief, because they are very low impact and do not require much upper body strength. This means that nearly anyone can do aerobics, regardless of their age or fitness level. Yoga and other stretching exercises are also excellent for stress relief. Stretching pulls your muscles in ways they are not used normally, forcing them to go through their full range of motion. Doing this gets your blood flowing without breaking a sweat. It has been shown that stretching can wake you up and improves creativity among people who do it consistently.
Pushups and sit-ups are always an option as well. Regardless of what physical activity you choose to manage your stress level, the important thing is that you give yourself an outlet for extra energy and get your body active so your mind can relax.

Stress also has a strong effect on your mind. It wears you down and keeps you from truly enjoying yourself. While you must put your mind to dealing with the source of your stress at some point, mental distractions can be a great stress relief, and are necessary for everyone, regardless of their stress level. Your distractions need to be something that can help you relax and get your mind off of everything that is getting you down. Many people like to read, listen to music, play chess or other games, or just enjoy the company of family or friends. Hobbies can also be a great stress relief, just be careful not to partake in a hobby that has a tendency to frustrate you, or you may be feeling even more stressed than you were before.

Balancing your techniques to help both mind and body at once is the most effective. Applying stress management techniques to only one area of your being won't do as good a job as giving yourself mental distractions combined with exercise. Finding what works for you to keep stress levels at a manageable level is important, so try a variety of combinations until you find the one that's right for you.

About the Author:

David Richards is a sociologist and web publisher of self improvement advice. You can check out http://www.1st-self-improvement.net for more.