Photo: Geber86/Getty Images
7 TECHNIQUES
FOR KEEPING YOUR
STRESS LEVELS LOW
BY GREG WELLS
L ife gives people plenty of reasons to be stressed.

1. MOVE YOUR BODY. Rhythmic, repeated motion
Relationship problems, child-rearing issues,
is particularly soothing to the mind and body.

and job or money woes are just some of life’s
A long walk, cycling, swimming or running will
complications that can weigh people down —
all work, but any kind of movement relieves tension,
and cause health problems.

“It’s difficult to stay healthy and energized when
stress is a daily reality,” says Dr. Greg Wells, author of
improves circulation and clears your mind.

2. GET INTO NATURE. Head to the garden, the park or
the woods to lower your blood pressure, strengthen your
“The Ripple Effect: Eat, Sleep, Move and Think Better.”
immune system, reduce tension and depression and
“Chronic stress can damage your body, threaten your
boost your mood. “It’s stunning how good it is for your
mental health, put a strain on relationships and take the
health to be in nature,” Wells says. “And I recommend
joy out of life.”
you leave the cell phone and earbuds at home.”
But there’s no reason to surrender to stress, Wells says.

3. PRACTICE YOGA OR TAI CHI. Therapy, yoga and
He suggests seven techniques that can help you have a
Tai Chi are good ways to decrease stress and anxiety,
healthier “thought life” and recover from chronic stress:
increase energy and boost the immune system.

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They also give you more stamina — needed in
stressful times — and improve the quality of your
sleep. Don’t be so quick to conclude that you “can’t
handle” a stressful situation. “This is truly a mind-
over-matter opportunity,” Wells says. “Believing
that you are strong and resourceful actually makes
you stronger and more resourceful.” Don’t give in to
negative self-talk about not having what it takes to
manage life, he says.

4. “ Ultimately, it’s important to
remember that your thoughts
have a strong influence over stress
levels,” Wells says. “What you
choose to think about, or not think
about, dictates how your body and
mind react to everyday life.”
CHANGE THE NATURE OF THE RESPONSE.

Research indicates that taking an active, problem-
solving approach to life’s challenges relieves stress
and can transform it into something positive. If you
withdraw, deny the problem or spend all your time
venting, you’ll feel helpless. Instead, Wells says, be
determined to make a change, put effort into it and
plan for better results.

5. PRACTICE SLOW, DEEP BREATHING. Start
applying the power of deep breathing each day.

It will make a huge difference. Wells recommends
you start small by taking three deep breaths each
time you sit down at your desk — in the morning,
after breaks, after lunch and so on. It will help you
become more patient, calm and relaxed.

6. BLOCK TIME FOR SINGLE-TASKING. Each
day, schedule time in your calendar for focusing
exclusively on one task. This task should be
something that is important to you. “People love to
talk about multi-tasking, but while doing several
things at once might make it seem as if you are
working hard, it’s an illusion,” Wells says. Your
body and mind are not designed to work that way,
and it causes extra stress.

Greg Wells is an authority on high performance and human
physiology. Wells’ latest book, The Ripple Effect: Eat, Sleep,
Move and Think Better, hit shelves earlier this year.

Check him out at DrGregWells.com.

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