Decreasing stress levels is crucial to having a happier and healthier life. Unmanaged stress can lead to mental health problems such as anxiety disorders or depression. It may also result in unhealthy habits such as excessive alcohol consumption or smoking. Stress is a mechanism to stimulate the body. For instance, short-term stress can motivate you to give a good presentation. However, persistent stress is harmful and should be decreased.

Stress can be reduced by changing your lifestyle. Develop a healthy balance. Make sure you get enough quality time with your partner, friends, or family. Don’t bring work problems into your social life. Having an absorbing hobby – whether it be drawing, writing fiction, or woodworking  – it will help you take your mind off work. If you think that you don’t have time for hobbies, consider that relaxation improves productivity. Even if you reserve just half an hour a day for your hobby, your overall performance will improve.

Lead a healthy life. Make sure you eat healthily and regularly. Take a banana to work; it has stress-relieving qualities. On a bad day, a bar of chocolate can immediately boost your mood.

Exercise regularly. Most people don’t have the time for a daily two-hour gym routine, but as little as 30 minutes of walking every day can make a difference. If you can’t manage even that, do some stretches or push ups to release tension from your body.

Identify any underlying issues. Do you tend to worry about one particular aspect of your work? Develop healthy coping strategies. Write down what you are worried about. Then enlist possible solutions to the problem or try to develop a more positive outlook. Acknowledge that chronic worrying rarely solves problems – but it can make your performance worse.

Having a balanced and healthy life is the base for managing persistent stress. However, sometimes you need a quick trick to deal with the stress immediately. Here are some suggestions:

•    laugh;
•    slow down your breathing;
•    kiss someone;
•    listen to soothing music;
•    chew a gum;
•    stroke a pet;
•    sigh;
•    sing;
•    do some stretches.

Stress have a negative impact on your mental and physical health. Having a good balance and leading a healthy life is crucial to managing persistent stress. Some tricks, like laughing or chewing a gum, may release stress immediately.