Stress is the number one cause of illness and disease in our world today. We live harried lives and seldom take time for ourselves to relax and rejuvenate ourselves. Below are some ways to slow down and reduce your stress levels so that you have more energy for all of your other daily commitments such as work and family.

Learn To Meditate to Manage Stress

Meditation has long been touted as a stress reliever and can help you to be more effective in your daily activities. With practice, meditation can help to think more clearly and have better focus and concentration. You don't have to sit cross legged and chant mantras either - although it may help to quiet the internal mind chatter by giving your brain something to focus on. You can quiet your mind just as easily by paying close attention to your breathing. To start a meditation practice, commit to spending just 10 minutes per day. Sit in a comfortable chair in a quiet room and close your eyes. Allow your breath to slow down and your lungs and abdomen to expand fully. If any thoughts enter your mind, simply observe them and then let them go. You can also listen to a relaxation CD, one that has the sounds of ocean waves crashing against the shore or birds chirping and a babbling brook in the background. Your practice can be either in the morning or in the evening. The morning is often a better choice for people because then you can start your day on the "right foot" and have that calm carry you through the rest of your day.

Two Great Stress Management Techniques: Yoga and Tai Chi

Yoga and Tai Chi have become very popular exercise choices in the last several years for a reason. Both are excellent ways to connect with your inner calm. You may find that at the beginning you have a hard time enjoying a Yoga or Tai Chi class especially if you're used to strenuous exercise such as running or aerobics classes. With continued practice though, you will learn to slow down your busy mind and just be in the moment. It is better to join a Yoga Centre or Martial Arts Centre to learn these practices but you can supplement your class time with a home practice by purchasing a Yoga or Tai Chi DVD routine.

Relieve Stress by Keeping a Journal

Lastly, journaling is a great way to relieve stress. It helps to calm a busy mind and allows you to get your thoughts down on paper. If something is bothering you, start by writing about your feelings and you'll find that after a certain amount of time, perhaps 20 minutes or so, that the issue isn't bothering you as much. You might also come up with some different insights from journaling. One type of journal that might help to get you started is a gratitude journal. Simply write five or ten things a day in your journal that you are thankful for and pretty soon you will find that your outlook has changed. It only takes about 5 or 10 minutes per day to keep a gratitude journal and it has a profound affect on your overall feeling of well-being.