C. J. Mackey is a working mother of three, balancing a full time career while taking an active role in her children's lives. She has an advanced degree in engineering and over twenty years making technology decisions for fortune 500 companies. For more Tips and information on Reduce Stress you can visit http://cjmackeypress.com/

1. Tips to Handle Stress and Anxiety
Ever increasing demands and fast paced schedules are causing everyone's stress
levels to escalate. And for every stressor, there seems to be a medication out
there to counteract it . Unfortunately, the medications often come with side
effects that can adversely affect your health. More and more people are looking
for natural methods of relieving stress and anxiety. These methods are proven to
help relieve stress and anxiety by using your body's natural defenses. Here are a
few to try in your daily routine to see if you can naturally reduce your stress level.
Exercise - There's no denying that most adults do not get the proper amount of
exercise they need on a daily basis. Vigorous exercise helps to relieve the tension
that comes with a stressful lifestyle. This method will also improve your energy
level as well as release endorphins to elevate your mood.
Yoga or Meditation - With the busy schedules that adults in today's world keep up
with, there are times when we forget how important it is to have a little "quiet
time" or time for reflection during the day. By meditating or doing some form of
exercise that requires you to clear your mind, such as yoga, you give your over
exerted body and mind time to focus. These types of activities allow you to
concentrate on your breathing, a technique used to slow the body's heart rate
and to relax. An employer I worked for a number of years ago provided yoga
classes during the lunch hour. At the end of the hour, we felt healthier, calmer
and ready to take on the rest of the day.

2. Laughter - It has been said that, "Laughter is the best medicine." We have all at
one time heard that famous line, but rarely if ever do we take it to heart. Laughter
is one of the best and easiest releases for endorphins that your body has. Finding
humor in situations that are extremely stressful can be hard to do in the moment.
But finding the time to watch a romantic comedy, or a favorite comedian's stand-
up routine, and laughing the evening away will not only elevate your mood, but
will also relieve stress.
Enjoy Something - It sounds so simple, but look at your day-to-day life. Do you
make time for the things you truly enjoy? Something that relaxes you or takes you
away from the worries of the day? Whether it is crossword puzzles, crocheting,
learning a new language, riding a horse, playing with your dog, painting, or
anything in between, it is important to find one thing that you love to do and try
to make time to do it.
We sometimes forget what a toll stress takes on our health, as well as our social
interactions. Some will shake off this advice saying "if I had that kind of time, I
wouldn't be this stressed." I understand, but as difficult as it is for me to find the
time with a full time job and three growing children, my outlet is playing tennis.
So at least once a week, while the weather is nice, I take a lunch hour and go hit
tennis balls at the park. It is probably the single most important thing that I do for
myself, and by extension, everyone else who will come in contact with me.