How Do I Get Rid of Stress? The Best Ways to Calm Nervous Anxiety

Jan 26, 2011
Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen

How Do I Get Rid of Stress Calm Nervous Anxiety - sxc aussiegal

There is no secret to getting rid of stress, because stress is an unavoidable part of life! Here are the best ways to reduce stress and calm anxious nerves.

You can’t eliminate stress from your life. In fact, in some situations stress can help you survive and even thrive. But, the effects of long-term chronic nervous anxiety or stress can have serious physical and emotional health effects.

The sooner you learn to calm nervous anxiety, the better…

Signs of Nervous Anxiety or Stress

Did you know you can be stressed and not even know it? Symptoms of stress include:

Complaining you’re disorganized, but not doing anything about it;
Procrastinating;
Failing to see the humour in things others find funny;
Thinking there is only one right way to do things;
Trying to do everything yourself;
Setting unrealistic goals;
Feeling angry when kept waiting;
Feeling irritable, sad or guilty for no or “old” reasons;
Not sleeping, or sleeping too much;
Gaining or losing weight;
Difficulty concentrating or making decisions;
Negative thinking;
Loss of interest, enjoyment or energy in things you once enjoyed;
Restlessness; and
General feelings of anxiety.

Asking “ how do I get rid of stress? ” is less important than recognizing the signs of nervous anxiety, learning about the health effects of chronic stress, and finding the best ways to reduce the effects of stress.

The Physical and Emotional Health Effects of Chronic Stress

Short-term stress can be good, because it causes you to react quickly, focus, or work hard to achieve something (e.g., meet a work deadline or win a race). But long-term chronic stress can seriously affect your health.

The negative effects of stress include:

Headaches;
Heart disease;
Some types of bowel disease;
Herpes;
Worsening of existing health problems; and
Mental or emotional health issues.

According to Health Canada, stress has even been identified as a possible risk factor in Alzheimer's Disease. Severe stress or nervous anxiety can cause biochemical changes in your body, affect your immune system, and leave your body vulnerable to disease.

How do you get rid of those stressful feelings? Try different techniques, until you find what works for you.

Play in the Dirt to Calm Nervous Anxiety

Researchers from the University of Bristol think the answer is underneath your fingernails. Soil contains the friendly bacterium Mycobacterium vaccae, which increases the metabolism of serotonin in the brain. Since a lack of serotonin is connected to depression, scientists hypothesize that this bacterium may improve mood, ease stress, and maintain a strong immune system. Landscaping, sowing seeds, and nurturing flowers or home-grown veggies are creative ways to unwind and improve your mood.

Declutter Your House to Decrease Stressful Feelings

“Clutter creates stress and, in extreme cases, depression,” says professional organizer Candita Clayton, author of Clean Your Home Healthy (Morgan James Publishing, 2008). “It’s difficult to relax when you’re surrounded by laundry, work or reading materials because you subconsciously feel like you have things to do.”

Eliminating chaos often increases energy and productivity. To declutter and destress, evaluate your space and eliminate what doesn’t bring pleasure. Donate clothing, decorations, or household items to charity. One of the best ways to calm nervous anxiety is to rework your space until you feel happy and relaxed.

Find the Right Type of Exercise for You

“The stress of engaging in exercise that is not of our choosing can outweigh its health benefits,” writes Dr Pierce Howard, PhD, in The Owner’s Manual for the Brain (Bard Press, 2006). If you force yourself to lift weights at the gym or run 10 miles, you could be doing your body more harm than good. Finding your exercise personality is the key to staying fit and coping with stress in a healthy way. Try fun ways to relieve stress – Drum Aerobics, Beach Tennis, Yoga Dance – until you find what makes you want to exercise.

Quick Ways to Get Rid of Nervous Anxiety

Identify your sources of stress;
Eliminate those sources if possible, or experiment with different coping techniques;
Get enough sleep;
Talk about your problems;
Identify solutions to your problems – and act on them;
Spend time meditating, praying, or just enjoying Mother Nature;
Become aware of negative thought patterns;
Look for the upside or positive perspective;
Learn to manage your time better;
Avoid using alcohol, drugs, food, or shopping to decrease stress; and
Eat healthy foods – avoid caffeine, sugar, and processed foods.
Get a massage! First, read How to Relax During a Massage.

One of the best ways to get rid of stress or nervous anxiety is to stay connected to your body and mind. What activities make you feel calm, happy, and energized? What or who do you love spending time with? You can’t eliminate stress, but you can fill your life with people and activities that make you happy.