Seven Steps to A Stress-Free You

There are moments when even the calmest girl feels the urge to throw a temper tantrum. Chalk it up to stress—the emotional and physical reaction from too much anxiety. When people get stressed, they feel irritated and find it hard to concentrate. Stress may even result in headaches or increased heart rates. While there is no surefire way to get rid of stress, there are ways to manage it effectively.

Taste
Certain kinds of food can help reduce stress. Try drinking milk. It contains calcium, vitamins B1 and B12, as well as antioxidants that help lessen tension in the body. A tall glass of warm milk also helps you sleep better, giving you enough rest to last you through the day.

Intuition
If you're starting to feel frazzled, slow down and pay attention to how you're feeling. Keep a journal so you can jot down your thoughts. It's a great way to keep things in perspective. You'll find that life, despite the killer exams, is still pretty good.

Smell
Anyone who has ever smelled anything bad knows that there is a direct relationship between your nose and how you feel. When things get too stressful, light a lavender-scented candle. Its scent is known to reduce depression, anxiety, and even fatigue.

Sound
When you start feeling stressed out, listen to some peaceful melodies such as classical music or nature-inspired tunes. Studies have shown that brainwaves can vibrate in time with the beat of music. Thus, a slower tempo can help encourage a calmer state.

Sight
People associate certain feelings with certain colors. When you start feeling overwhelmed by deadlines, set your sights on cool hues such as greens and blues to help calm you down. Place some plants in your room to feel the difference.

Touch
When you start feeling tense, try massaging your occipital ridge, which is found at the base of your skull in the back of your head. Loosen your neck muscles by rubbing this area with your thumbs using tiny circular motions. You'll feel your stress slowly but surely melt away.